Written answers

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Legislative Measures

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

198. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the upper rate of the plastics tax levy is set at a max of €1 in the heads of the circular economy Bill; the basis for setting this rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53883/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

199. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he proposes to engage with stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed legislation in respect of the circular economy Bill; if there will be consultation with industry, academics and civil society groups built into the decision-making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53884/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the procedure for the removal of a product from the market under the circular economy Bill for environmental reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53885/21]

Photo of Ossian SmythOssian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.

The Circular Economy Bill 2021, which was approved by Government for priority drafting in June this year, aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy; the Circular Economy Programme; the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap; and the Circular Economy Fund. The Bill also gives the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use items, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These measures will be introduced by means of secondary legislation.

Building on the success of the plastic bag and landfill levies, the proposed new economic instruments are intended to incentivise more sustainable consumer behaviours, and not to be revenue raising measures. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to cap the maximum rate chargeable while ensuring that this maximum was set at a level which ensured that the levies could retain their dissuasive effect over time, taking account of the potential for inflation over the lifespan of the levies. A €1 maximum was deemed appropriate to meet these requirements. The initial rate of the levy will be set by way of secondary legislation and is expected to be significantly lower than the €1 maximum provided for in the Bill.

The measures in the Bill have been the subject of extensive consultation as part of the development of both the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy, due to be published shortly. In respect of the Waste Action Plan, stakeholders are also represented through a cross-sectoral Waste Advisory Group. This forum has proved very successful, and a Circular Economy Advisory Group will be established to provide for a similar approach to the implementation of the Circular Economy Strategy. Where any measures provided for in the Bill are to be introduced by way of secondary legislation, these measures will be the subject of further consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.