Dáil debates

Wednesday, 1 June 2022

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages

 

6:22 pm

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the discussion and debate on each Stage of this legislation and acknowledge the Minister has taken on board some of the recommendations. There will be further discussion in the Seanad and colleagues of mine will bring forward amendments, as I am sure others will as well.

I am disappointed there were not amendments on CCTV and the need for caution with it. Significantly more needs to be done in the area of product obsolescence. I would, given the opportunity, have supported the amendment from the Labour Party. We need to see action on that. On Committee Stage, the Government pointed to the need to act at a European level. We need to see more on that. We need to see the deposit return scheme. I share the concerns of other Deputies about the possible unintended consequences of the latte levy and the implications there. I think we will bring forward amendments on that in the Seanad. There is a crazy anomaly with the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate, PET, plastics in Ireland. Due to the configuration of levies and incentives here, it makes more sense to export it to I do not where - certainly the four corners of Europe, if not of the world - than it does to run it up the road to County Monaghan so it can be done here.

The Minister has been contacted by Shabra Plastics and Recycling Limited and I know there are ongoing discussions. It makes no sense at all. State agencies such as Repak and others are a part of that mix and it has to be resolved.

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