Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of revenue which has been generated by the plastic bag levy since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4189/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Total receipts to date for the plastic bag levy on disposable shopping bags amount to €51,020,976.

Prior to the introduction of this levy, an estimated 1.2 billion plastic bags were given away free by retailers. The levy has led to a dramatic reduction in use of plastic bags with a consequent positive environmental benefit. Plastic shopping bags accounted for 5% of litter arising prior to the introduction of the levy, but for just 0.22% of litter arising in 2004.