Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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526. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government about the status of the tyre levy, including whether concerns by industry operators will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5017/16]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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537. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to address the concerns raised by those in the tyre industry regarding the full PRI scheme; if he will consider an industry-led scheme instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5116/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 537 together.

There is 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.

Following extensive discussions with the tyre industry through the establishment of a Tyres Working Group, 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.

There will be no new tyre tax or levy under the new system being introduced; 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 that the existing levy 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.

My Department is currently awaiting a submission from the tyre industry regarding the new structures.