Written answers

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Waste Tyre Disposal

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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596. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the tyre industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6941/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The data published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to tyres which have reached end of life and have been sent for recycling and recovery.

One of the major problems with the current system for tyres is that there is no data available regarding the overall amount of tyres placed on the market in Ireland and some of the tyre industry have been refusing to co-operate and provide such data.

I will shortly be introducing new regulations which will make it mandatory for tyre producers and retailers to be members of a compliance scheme.  In addition, tyre producers will be obliged to register with, and provide information to, Producer Register Limited (PRL).  PRL will ensure that all commercially sensitive information is protected by a 'black box' structure, as they currently do for the WEEE scheme. By introducing these new structures and making it mandatory to report tyres being placed on the market, there will be full traceability of the movement of tyres within the State for the first time.

In the absence of data in respect of the number of tyres coming onto the market being available, the tonnage of tyres coming off the market means very little.  The amount of tyres visibly dumped around the countryside would suggest not all tyres are being managed correctly and convinces me of the need to introduce the new compliance scheme as soon as possible.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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597. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6974/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT) was approved by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to act as a compliance scheme for tyres with effect from 1 November 2015. In accordance with the approval granted to Repak ELT they must submit their Annual Report and Accounts for 2016 to my Department by 31 May 2017. The Annual Report and Accounts will be made available to their members and published on the Repak ELT website (www.repakelt.ie).

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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598. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on concerns outlined by the tyre industry regarding the establishment of an organisation (details supplied) and the potential problems for the industry when the scheme is introduced; if he will engage with representatives from the industry to address these concerns directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7151/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding the new structures which I am introducing for tyres. However, the issue of waste tyres in our country needs to be met head on.

I have already met with three representative bodies of the tyre industry. I listened to their concerns and I have done my best to address as many of them as possible.  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 for operators in the tyre market.

One area of concern to the industry is the issue of market distortion. Tyres will be a priority area for enforcement in 2017 for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities and I will be asking them to give particular attention to the border regions.

Some of the tyre industry also contend that the formalisation of the existing charge, which consumers pay when purchasing a new tyre, will cause a distortion in the market, with non-compliant operators undercutting compliant ones. The regulations that I am introducing will formalise this fee and ensure that all operators will be required to comply and that the fee will be used correctly to support the sound environmental treatment of waste tyres.

The Compliance Scheme will be operated by Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT) with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited. The scheme will carry out all regulatory functions on behalf of its members. All operators will be obliged to provide data on the numbers of tyres coming on and off the market. This will be the first time that there will be clarity in this regard. It will be mandatory for anyone placing tyres on the market in Ireland to join the compliance scheme.

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.

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