Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed EU directive on recycling of electronic waste can pose serious difficulties for electrical retailers, particularly those who are operating in town situations; if electrical retailers need to obtain a waste management licence in order to have storage facilities at their premises for such hazardous waste; if there will be insurance implications for such retailers when storing hazardous waste on site; and if they will require a permit for transportation of such material from their premises to a civic amenity area. [14841/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, which came into effect on 13 February 2003, presents a challenge to all relevant stakeholder groups, including retailers, and effective implementation will require a focused, committed approach from all concerned. Draft regulations, which will transpose the directive into Irish law, have been published for consultation. These were prepared by my Department, working closely with the relevant public sector and industry stakeholders through a dedicated waste electrical and electronic equipment task force. Retailer interests are represented on this task force, which was established in February 2003.

To minimise the regulatory burden of the directive, the draft regulations propose that retailers be allowed to avail of an exemption from the normal waste permitting requirements for the storage and transport of waste electrical and electronic equipment in certain circumstances. Under the modified regime, which will be considerably less burdensome than the normal collection and waste permitting requirements, retailers will be required to register their premises with their local authority.

In recognition that some retailers, particularly those operating in the centre of a town, may have difficulties in catering for waste electrical and electronic equipment, the draft regulations also propose that retailers may, subject to the agreement of the appropriate local authorities, make alternative arrangements to in-store take-back, provided that such arrangements are not more inconvenient for the purchaser and remain free of charge. Insurance considerations are matters for the individual retailers.