Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 758: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans, in view of the high level of litter pollution due to chewing gum, to introduce a tax or a levy on chewing gum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29626/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I recently published the 2008 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System results which showed that chewing gum constitutes almost 31% of litter nationally, second only to cigarette related litter at 46%. The empirical data from the results indicate, however, that the general litter levels recorded nationally have decreased steadily over the last number of years. This position is supported by the improved results also reported by Irish Business Against Litter in its annual Litter League. While it would not be possible to ascertain absolute levels of chewing gum litter in Ireland, if overall national litter levels are decreasing while the percentage represented by chewing gum has remained constant, this suggests that the chewing gum litter situation has improved in line with national progress. My Department entered into a negotiated agreement designed to tackle chewing gum litter with the chewing gum industry in March 2006. This three-year programme involved a major outdoor advertising campaign, a wide-reaching schools education module, in-store and around store advertising, point of sale materials and the promotion of greater awareness of litter law enforcement through higher visibility of litter fines for irresponsible disposal of gum in the local authority areas throughout the country. The third and final awareness campaign is currently underway in 28 of the 34 city and county councils and also in two town council areas. I am carrying out a comprehensive review of the negotiated agreement programme to evaluate its impact on chewing gum litter levels countrywide with a view to informing future policy development in this area. All options, including the possible introduction of a levy on chewing gum or a further negotiated agreement, will be examined.