Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address concerns that the proposed environmental levy on tyres will push consumers to procure tyres from outside of the State; the level of engagement he has had with the tyre industry, particularly in the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Over 20,000 farms have been affected by illegal dumping. The level of illegal dumping of various waste types is a major environmental problem that needs to be met head on. I have made €1.3 million available to support a major anti-dumping initiative by local authorities and communities. In addition, I have allocated €1 million to local authorities to remove stockpiles of waste tyres. The local authorities have indicated to me that there are more than 750,000 tyres randomly dumped in sites around the country, and this is a conservative estimate.

I have also taken actions to stem the problem of more waste tyres ruining rural areas. The new management scheme for waste tyres took effect no 1 October. Over 1,600 tyre retailer, producer and collector premises have already registered with the new scheme. This sign-up demonstrates to me that the overwhelming majority of tyre suppliers want to ensure that their products are managed properly as a waste. I welcome the efforts, as I am sure all Deputies do, that the compliant industry has made by joining the new scheme and working together to ensure that waste tyres do not continue to be a blight on our countryside.

A new compliance scheme for tyres will be operated by Repak End of Life Tyres (ELT) with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited (PRL). The scheme will carry out all regulatory functions on behalf of its members and will be funded by a visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC). Currently the EU single market facilitates cross border trade. Fees for the collection and management of waste tyres have previously been charged, but this has not always been transparent or effective, as suggested by the level of tyres being dumped around the country.  The flow of tyres from one jurisdiction to another has more to do with currency fluctuations than making an environmental cost on a tyre more visible.

I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding the new structures. I have met with the tyre representative bodies. 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.

In order to support the compliant majority of the tyre industry, the new structures will be supported by a strong enforcement regime, which will be a priority for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs). In addition, the EPA has a new enforcement role to ensure producers register with PRL and provide all relevant data. Tyres are one of the five priority areas for enforcement in 2017, as agreed by the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee, and I have made €9 million available this year in relation to waste enforcement. I will be asking the EPA and Local Authorities to begin a visible enforcement campaign on tyres, particularly in border areas.