Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of negotiations on the new tyre compliance scheme which will replace the TRACS system in the new year; the new charge per tyre; if he will address the concerns of retailers here that this will drive business north of the Border and not allow retailers here to be competitive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8565/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is my intention to introduce new regulations as soon as possible this year to ensure the environmentally sound management of waste tyres in Ireland.

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.

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 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.

The vEMC for car tyres has been set at €2.80 per tyre. There is currently insufficient market data to enable me to set the vEMC for agricultural tyres. However, this will not delay the establishment of the scheme. The vEMC for agricultural tyres will be set at zero in the new regulations. Producers of agricultural tyres will still have reporting obligations and the collection of this data will inform my decision on the level of fee to be set at a future date. I am awaiting a recommendation from the Tyres Working Group before I further consider what level of vEMC I will set for truck tyres.

I met with tyre industry representatives.  I listened to their concerns and I have done my best to address as many of them as possible. 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.