Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 887: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that there is to be an increase in the landfill levy from February 2010 to €30 per tonne, under the Waste Management (Landfill Levy) Amendment Regulations 2009, which follows an increase to €25 per tonne from January 2010 (S.I. No. 550 of 2009); if he envisages any further increases to the landfill levy in the calendar year 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1529/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The landfill levy was increased from €20 per tonne to €25 per tonne with effect from 31 December 2009. I intend to increase the landfill levy by a further €5 per tonne with effect from the 1 of February 2010. This will bring the levy to €30 per tonne and will further assist in addressing the race to the bottom in landfill gate fees which currently acts as a barrier to achieving the challenging diversion targets set out in the Landfill Directive. I do not anticipate any further increases in 2010.

Under existing legislation it is only possible to increase the landfill levy by a maximum of €5 per tonne in each financial year. This does not allow sufficient flexibility to set the levy at a rate appropriate to support compliance with the Landfill Directive targets. Therefore, I have already announced that I will be introducing new legislation on waste levies this year with the intention of increasing the landfill levy to €50 per tonne in 2011 and to €75 per tonne in 2012.

These increases will help Ireland achieve the far more demanding targets set under the Landfill Directive for 2013 and 2016.