Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute briefly on this important topic of plastic and packaging pollution. Just yesterday I received a reply to a parliamentary question I raised on the Minister's plans to introduce a recycling deposit scheme for plastic containers following the example of the UK and EU member states. It was disappointing, of course, that he told me that the 2014 review of the producer responsibility initiative model in Ireland did not recommend the introduction of a recycling deposit and refund scheme. I welcome, however, the Minister's reply that following Deputy Ryan's recent Private Member's Bill the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment has been asked to examine "the implementation issues, the likely costs and the effectiveness of a proposed deposit and refund scheme in Ireland". When will this examination be completed? Can we aim for budget 2019?

See this speech in context