Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to drive a waste reduction programme through extension of producer responsibility initiatives and a levy on packaging. [14196/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Programme for Government commitment, my Department, as part of a waste reduction strategy, wishes to examine options regarding the possible introduction of a packaging levy. I have, therefore, recently announced the commencement of a consultation process with the aim of seeking the views of industry, interested stakeholders and the public on how this levy might be operated.

The main areas to be covered in this consultation are:

· The overall views of stakeholders on a packaging levy;

· How a packaging levy might be operated;

· International experiences of similar levies; and

· How a possible packaging levy might be structured in order to contribute to a reduction in packaging waste.

No decisions have been taken on this matter yet and I look forward to considering the responses received. Further details about the consultation are available at my Department's website - www.environ.ie.