Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising his concerns about this. My Department seeks to promote wide stakeholder participation in policy development and is always open to improving those consultations and to suggestions from the Deputy or others. The Bill to which the Deputy refers was first published in mid-2017, which was before my time in this office. It provided for prohibiting the sale or free distribution of disposable plastic cups, glasses, plates and other tableware from 1 January 2020, except for items which can be disposed of by composting in an ordinary domestic compost facility, and the mandatory introduction of a deposit and return scheme, DRS, for all beverage containers by 1 July 2019.

I have been informed, as I was not in the Department at the time, that the Department engaged with the Deputy and certain environmental groups shortly after the publication of the Bill. The Minister at the time supported the intent of the Bill, which aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment. However, he referred the Bill for detailed scrutiny to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment citing concerns about its compatibility with EU legislation and the cost implications for the Exchequer of the introduction of this provision. The resulting committee report acknowledged the incompatibility of the Bill with EU legislation and outlined potentially significant costs in establishing and operating a deposit and return scheme. Cost estimates considered in the course of the committee's deliberations identified costs of over €76 million in the first year of establishing the scheme with up to €72 million in costs for the second year.

The Government is not opposed to the possible introduction of a deposit and return scheme in Ireland. However, given the potential costs involved in its introduction, it believes that a proper study of the costs, impacts and effectiveness is necessary. The Department is currently undertaking such a review.

It is normal practice to seek the views of affected parties when considering a response to proposals. I am informed that in consideration of the above proposal the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, and Repak were consulted as the need arose. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, was also consulted. It does not seem unreasonable to consult with Repak, which co-ordinates the delivery of the obligations of industry in this area. Repak operates under an approval from the Minister to act as a national compliance scheme for packaging. Producers of packaging have obligations under the EU packaging directive, as transposed in Ireland by the European Communities (Packaging) Regulations 2014. Repak is a not-for-profit organisation which carries out these regulatory obligations on behalf of its members. Under the terms of its approval, it is tasked with ensuring that Ireland meets its EU targets under the packaging directive and to report to the Minister annually on progress. It is also obliged to keep updated on relevant regulatory developments at national level.

I recognise that all stakeholders should have a fair opportunity to participate so all views can be fully taken into account. In terms of policy development, my Department will evaluate the analysis being undertaken on a deposit return scheme. Incidentally, the scheme is strongly opposed by Repak, so it has not been a slam dunk for whatever view is coming from industry. The Department held a major stakeholder forum in September on a new waste strategy embodying the circular economy plan adopted by all member states of the European Union. All stakeholders were invited to participate.

The approach I have taken since I was appointed to this office is to consult widely. I consulted widely before the adoption of the climate action plan and I am consulting widely at present before the adoption of a waste and circular economy strategy. I hold regular meetings. I have held ten town hall style meetings to ensure I am getting access not just to national interest groups but also to the views of people in the regions. The approach I seek to take is to receive all views fairly.

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