Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the proposed deposit and return scheme will be supported as a part of the Waste Reduction Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23901/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Ireland is currently one of the top performing countries in the EU in terms of recycling and recovery. The EPA Progress Report Towards EU Targets 2017showed that Ireland recycled  34% by weight of plastics in 2015, counting exclusively material that is recycled back into plastics. The EU target is 22.5% and Ireland is clearly well ahead of this target.

A private member’s Waste Reduction Bill was introduced to the House last year.  On its introduction, I fully supported the intention of the Bill to reduce plastic waste, but I expressed reservations in relation to certain aspects of it, including the introduction of a Deposit and Return scheme for sealed containers in which beverages are sold. 

My main concern in this regard was in relation to the potential costs versus the benefits of the introduction of such a scheme.  I am of the belief that the operational and economic impacts of a Deposit and Return Scheme on an existing successful producer responsibility scheme need to be assessed thoroughly.

In addition, the effect of the introduction of such a scheme on domestic collections needs to be evaluated.  If we take the more valuable material out of the domestic recycling bin, waste costs for households will rise. 

In light of this, I asked the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to look at the merits of a deposit and refund scheme at a national level.  The Committee’s report, which was published this week, recommends that the Bill proceed to Committee Stage.  However, it also suggests that the following may merit consideration:

- firstly, whether adequate up-to-date analysis has been completed to support a Deposit and Return Scheme; and

- secondly, whether alternatives to the proposal have been adequately addressed to ascertain whether the proposal reflects the most feasible, efficient and sustainable option which will most likely achieve the best environmental benefits while minimising financial/economic risks, Exchequer outlay, both set-up and annual costs, and the compliance burden.

In the absence of an examination and a clear understanding of the costs and impacts, I will not be in position to support the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme in the manner proposed by the Waste Reduction Bill.