Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has for the plastic bag levy; if he has met interest groups on this issue; the revenue that has been raised from this levy each year since its initiation; the revenue he expects to be raised in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36154/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The primary purpose of the levy on plastic bags is not to generate revenue but to change consumer behaviour and maintain the significant reduction in the consumption of plastic bags, dispensed at retail outlets, that was achieved when the levy was first introduced in 2002. To this end, I am bringing forward legislation that will provide for greater flexibility in amending the level of charge as circumstances require. While the provisions of the proposed legislation will allow for greater increases in the level of charge any amendment will have regard to both the level of plastic bag usage and changes in the consumer price index. A Regulatory Impact Analysis has been carried out in respect of this proposed legislation and my Department is in regular contact with the various stakeholders having an interest in the operation of this economic instrument.

The amounts received from the Plastic Bag Levy for each year since its introduction in March 2002 are set out in the tabular statement below. Details of levies received are published in the Environment Fund Annual Accounts. Copies of the Environment Fund's Annual Accounts up to and including 2007 are available in the Oireachtas Library. The 2008 Annual Accounts will be lodged in the Oireachtas Library in due course after they have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System is used to measure the impact of the plastic bag levy on an ongoing basis and my Department also studies the receipts from the plastic bag levy to monitor trends in the average per capita consumption of plastic bags. These data will be used to ensure that the plastic bag levy is set at an appropriate level. Future revenues will be largely determined by the usage of plastic bags by the public. I would welcome a reduction in receipts in future years as this would demonstrate that the proposed legislation has succeeded in its aim of reducing plastic bag usage. Receipts from the plastic bag levy 2002-2007 2002 - €10,428,413; 2003 - €12,883,408; 2004 - €15,278,107; 2005 - €17,484,551; 2006 - €19,947,315; 2007 - €22,577,535.