Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken to dispel concerns held by the tyre industry over lost revenues and trade, among others, which it is claimed will ensue as a result of new structures and regulations being introduced for the industry, including a new compliance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6149/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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It is my intention to introduce new regulations early this year to address Ireland's waste tyres problem.　

These regulations will enable me to put in place a full compliance scheme for tyre operators, which will be financed by a visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC). Similar compliance schemes have operated very successfully across other waste streams, including, packaging, waste electrical and electronic goods, batteries and farm plastics.

I met with some tyre industry representatives recently. I listened to their concerns and I have done my best to address as many of them as possible, including making the issue of tyres a priority area for enforcement in 2017 for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs). I have also received a lot of support during the extensive consultation that has taken place with the industry for the introduction of the scheme from other operators in the tyre market

By introducing these new structures, I am implementing the recommendations of the Review of Producer Responsibility Initiatives in Ireland which was published by my Department in 2014. I am convinced that the new structures will address the lack of regulation in this market to date and address the occurrences of stockpiles of waste tyres that could have a detrimental effect on the environment and human health.