Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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565. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has examined the feasibility of banning the sale of all commercial goods, food or otherwise, in non-recyclable materials; if his attention has been drawn to levies in other countries that have proven successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5552/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the administration of the EU Packaging Directive which is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014.

Under the Regulations at least 60% of packaging waste must be recovered and 55% must be recycled.  The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force.

Repak is the approved producer responsibility compliance scheme for packaging in Ireland and is tasked with meeting recovery and recycling targets established under the EU Packaging Directive. 

In July 2014, a Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland was published.  As part of this review, a wider examination of issues within the packaging sphere was undertaken and consideration was given to the introduction of a packaging levy.  The review report did not recommend the introduction of a packaging levy. The main reason for this decision was that the introduction of a packaging levy was likely to generate a number of regulatory costs to business and the public sector with few identifiable benefits, given Ireland’s very successful packaging recovery and recycling performance to date.

Under the EU’s Circular Economy Package, the Commission is currently preparing a Plastics Strategy.  The idea of a Circular Economy is where  the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the generation of waste minimised, and is an essential contribution to the EU’s efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy.  Plastic is one of the five priority areas addressed in the strategy.  I continue to monitor progress in this regard at EU level.