Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department's new targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9474/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, Ireland has achieved considerable success in meeting targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency show that the 25% target for 2001 set under Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste was achieved. It also shows that with 56% recovery of packaging waste in 2004, Ireland exceeded the 2005 recovery target of 50% set under the directive. The comparable figure for 1998 was 14%.

Directive 2004/12/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, amending the original Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, introduces a new increased packaging waste recovery target of 60%. Of this 60%, 55% must be by way of recycling. The directive includes the material specific recycling targets of 60% for glass, paper and board; 50% for metals, 22.5% for plastics and 15% for wood. Ireland must achieve these targets by 2011.

Building on our success in the area of packaging waste recycling, I established the national strategy group on packaging waste recycling in October 2004, involving key public and private stakeholders such as Repak, IBEC, producers, waste collectors, reprocessors, local authorities and my Department. The group is mandated to develop a strategy for achieving the 2011 targets.

Draft Waste Management (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, which will transpose the amending directive, have been notified to the European Commission as required by the packaging directive. Consultations with stakeholders on further proposed changes to the packaging waste regulatory regime continue to take place. I will bring forward draft consolidated packaging regulations later this year, after those consultations have concluded.