Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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683. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding any engagement his Department has had with the supermarket sector to encourage the reduction in the use of non-recyclable plastic in all aspects of their operating procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45512/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to prevent the generation of packaging waste, to ensure that all packaging on the EU market will be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. This will come into effect in August 2026. The Regulation falls under the remit of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and officials from that Department are currently preparing for implementation.

Ireland uses the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for dealing with waste packaging. Repak, the national EPR scheme for packaging, is a not-for-profit organisation which charges fees to its members, including major retailers, in accordance with the amount and type of packaging they place on the Irish market.

My Department's Retail Forum is a platform for discussion between the retail sector and government on issues affecting the sector. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is represented on the Forum and members are kept informed about the framework for a circular economy, which includes the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.