Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

525. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his position on the introduction of a proposed new waste tyre levy or producer responsibility initiative which could see an increase in the cost of tyre disposal by 20%; the existing plans to amend current regulations for waste tyre disposal; if he will acknowledge the crippling effect such a measure will have on sectors such as the haulage and agricultural industry and the possible adverse effects on environmental management of waste tyres and on the business of tyre sellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39149/15]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

526. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his position regarding the selection of Repak to operate the proposed new waste tyre levy, if implemented; if he will acknowledge the negative effect this will have on existing tyre sellers; if he will outline, in detail, any cost savings that would be made from making such a move over choosing existing licensed waste collectors to operate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39150/15]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

527. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure a functioning return mechanism for end-of-life tyres is provided to operators who pay an environment management charge on truck tyres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39152/15]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

531. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to amend the waste tyre regime; the added cost to operators for the purchase of tyres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39184/15]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

549. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the ongoing negotiations regarding the introduction of a waste tyre management scheme; if he has intervened personally in these consultations to resolve the concerns of the industry; the steps being taken by his Department to resolve the impasse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39461/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 527, inclusive, 531 and 549 together.

We have a serious problem with waste tyres in Ireland. In discussions prior to the adoption of the 2007 Tyre Regulations, it was made clear that this was the last opportunity for the tyre industry to embrace environmental compliance and take responsibility for the waste it produces. If the required improvement did not happen, it was made clear to the tyre industry that the system would be reviewed and replaced with a full Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) model.

As part of a wider review of producer responsibility arrangements completed in 2014, the structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the current system for managing waste tyres was assessed. The results of this examination were stark. The report, published for consultation in November 2013 and in final form in April 2014, found:

- A non-compliance rate with the Tyre Regulations of 46%,

- A lack of consistent and accurate data,

- That the current system was not tracking data flows well, and

- Between 25% and 50% of waste tyres were not accounted for with widespread illegal dumping.

In summary, this system, which has resulted in between 15 - 30 million tyres being dumped illegally, is clearly failing to provide a proper waste management system for tyres and can not be allowed to continue.

Following extensive discussions with the tyre industry, I announced my decision to establish a full PRI scheme for Tyres and Waste Tyres in Ireland on 30 January 2015. Since my decision, significant progress has been made in discussions with the tyre industry.

The new scheme will be operated by Repak with a registration and reporting role for the WEEE Register Society. Both organisations have long and successful track records under existing producer responsibility arrangements in the packaging, battery and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) areas and have been instrumental in making Ireland a top EU per former in these waste streams. The new system will provide a sustainable and environmentally focussed system for the management of waste tyres. Like existing systems for waste tyres elsewhere in the EU and for all other waste streams in Ireland, this system will respect the producer responsibility approach and be based on the polluter pays principle. These are long-standing environmental principles which are reflected in both European and domestic legislation.

There will be no new tyre tax or levy under the new system. Consumers already pay a disposal fee to their tyre retailer whenever they buy a new tyre. The model that I am introducing will formalise a charge that tyre retailers already apply but which does not currently go towards the cost of managing the waste in all cases, as it is supposed to. It is absolutely right and fair to provide a system that ensures it is properly directed in the future so that the consumer does not pay twice: once at the point of purchase and again when the taxpayer has to meet costs incurred by local authorities for the clean-up of illegally dumped tyres.

Repak ELT, which has already replaced TRACS as the sole compliance scheme for tyres as of 1 November 2015, already has over 90 members and the model that I am developing, which mirrors those arrangements which are in place in 20 other Member States, will, I am confident, enjoy the full support of all members of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association who make up approximately 50% of the Irish tyre market.

As I have previously stated, I urge both the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) and the Irish Tyre Wholesalers & Retailers Association (ITWRA) to re-join the process and re-engage with my Department in finalising the details for the new regulatory regime. In addition, my Department and Repak ELT continue to engage with representatives from the farming, construction and haulage sectors on the new arrangements.