Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, is very welcome to the House. Today is a landmark day for recycling in this country. The deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans is very welcome. It has worked in many other countries and should result in the recycling of cans and bottles in this country going from 60% or 65% up to 90% and maybe even higher, as has been achieved in the countries that have implemented this type of scheme. There are a couple of issues with the scheme I want to highlight today. I want to make it very clear that I welcome the scheme. I support it and I encourage people to participate in the scheme. As we have proven before with the plastic bag levy, we can achieve great results when we all work together. It is from that perspective that I am speaking today.

I would like to see two things happen with the scheme. First, there should be community-based return machines facilitated by the local authorities in every town and village in the country to ensure the footfall is not being directed to the big multiples and away from the high street and the small shops. Second, there should be a grant available so that small shops, newsagents, discount stores and so on can purchase these machines and offer the same service to their customers as is available with the multiples. These machines cost €30,000 to €40,000. There is no way small shops can afford that type of investment given the challenges the retail sector is facing at the moment. I know the Minister of State is very aware of the challenges retailers are facing because he works with them every day of the week in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for small business. I hope the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is examining this to try to create equality between small shops and the multiples.

We want to avoid unintended consequences from this scheme. We do not want this scheme to create the unintended consequence of directing people into the forecourts of the big multiples at the expense of the small shopkeepers. The scheme is great but it needs to be available to small retailers. I look forward to hearing good news from the Minister of State in this regard.