Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the fourth Minister, I might give Deputy Kitt a slightly different answer.

On foot of the success of the plastic bag levy, my Department commissioned a study on the possible extension of environmental levies to other materials that are problematic from a litter perspective. With regard to chewing gum, the study recommended that either a levy on sales be put in place or that a negotiated agreement be entered into with the sector.

However, unlike the use of plastic bags, the Government has no desire to curtail the use of chewing gum. What the Government wants to do is change the attitude and behaviour of those people who see it as acceptable to discard their gum on our streets. Some of the chewing gum litter we see on our streets is absolutely disgusting. I do not currently believe that a levy on chewing gum is the appropriate means by which to achieve our aim. I would stress the word "currently" because this may change. A levy would penalise both the industry and the consumer and would not provide an incentive to people to alter their behaviour with regard to disposing of gum. It was therefore decided that a negotiated agreement with the industry was the most appropriate direction to take on this issue. Such an agreement provides a mechanism for achieving a lasting change in behaviour with regard to the disposal of gum rather than a short-term clean up solution that does not address the underlying problem of the irresponsible disposal of gum.

A negotiated agreement has been in place with the chewing gum industry since 2007. The agreement facilitates a partnership approach through a range of agreed programmes that are practical, robust and targeted to address the root cause of the problem. As part of this agreement, the chewing gum industry mounted a national media campaign involving outdoor advertising throughout the country, national radio and TV advertising, in-store and around store advertising, as well as a schools' educational campaign promoting greater awareness of the damaging effects of chewing gum litter on our environment and of the penalties associated with the irresponsible disposal of gum.

Evidence indicates that the negotiated agreement approach is working. Since 2008, my Department's national litter pollution monitoring system report demonstrates that the percentage of national litter represented by chewing gum has decreased from 30.79% in 2008 to 15.32% in 2013, a reduction of 50%. The most recent programme, which ran from 2012 to 2014, has just concluded. It was funded entirely by the industry and was valued at an estimated €9.6 million. I have received a further proposal from the industry to renew the negotiated agreement for the term 2015 to 2017, and this matter is under consideration. I assure Deputy Kitt that while a renewed agreement is under consideration, it is not something that will simply go through on the nod. It is something that I will consider deeply. If we feel that we need a change of tack or need to consider levies or any other measures, we will do so.

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