Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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402. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he will take to rectify the imbalance in obligations for product take-back and recycling between domestic retailers and distance sellers; and the way in which Comisiún na Meán will assist in creating a fairer environment for businesses in Ireland that comply with these schemes. [52133/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s work in relation to the broader Circular Economy can be seen in the transposition and embedding of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations, which are the cornerstone of the EU Commission’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products. My Department is also working on the transposition of the both the Green Transition and the Right to Repair Directives. All three form part of a package of initiatives set out at EU level following on from the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal.

Product take-back and recycling obligations in themselves do not form part of my Department’s remit. Product take-back and recycling obligations are part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which applies to multiple sectors and product categories, which, in general, fall to my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is a policy approach that places the responsibility for the end-of-life management of products on producers. The goal is to shift the burden of waste management from consumers to producers, encouraging more sustainable product design and waste reduction.

As to the Deputy’s question regarding Coimisiún na Meán, this organisation does not fall under the remit of my Department, but rather that of my colleague the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.