Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy’s work with Liberty Recycling. Since January of this year, Ireland has understood and tried to transpose the EU law that is required by every member state. We currently have a system in place for the separation and collection of textiles, and the bring banks are a significant part of that. I understand that significant improvements are required. I am aware of this due to working with local authorities and charity organisations, which report that used textile collection is currently under much strain due to adverse international trading and collection conditions. We want to find solutions to the problems and challenges that present. I know several local authorities have requested new tenders for textile collections and that is something I will be following up on.

With regard to extended producer responsibility, my Department has started work on the Irish EPR. I had an opportunity to visit Primark recently and it now has bins in each of its stores. I accept we need a more comprehensive approach.

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