I really detest this tax. It’s nothing more than revenue-raising. I detest plastic bags as well. Two issues arise. Firstly, if the gov were really serious they would ban their manufacture and insist on its replacement with recycled paper. Secondly, what is with the shops that they themselves don’t do it. It won’t cost them any more, is an advertising vehicle and is hardly a dent in their profits especially given the costs of their goods.
I complain every time but it’s like taking to the trees. No wonder big business runs governments and they are impotent on the people’s behalf who elected them as representatives not dictators.
The answer is folks: Don’t take the bags, don’t pay the tax! Watch what happens then.

Should have been done years ago, with all the cross-border shopping, half of those Nordie plastic bags end up down here anyway.

Fair enough. But can we replace the plastic with something else thats not paper? I hate walking home when its raining and my paper bag turns into a soggy mush spilling the contents on the ground. Considering how often it rains this has happened a good few times

Agree that bag tax is mostly about revenue. In parts of France biodegradable bags are compulsory. These bags are plastic in every way except that they don’t last forever like commonly used plastic bags. The Greens should have banned the plastic bag while they were in government when such a simple alternative exists. The government can’t impose a tax on biodegradable bags though of course.

“More expensive in the Republic” Well I never!

Notice all the a Above comments are from men. Women have no problem about this. Like all good girl guides. We are always prepared carrying our own fold up bags. Too girly for you maybe? Gap in the market then for macho fold up bags ??

This tax was a great idea, it makes people think. Its easy avoid and so the people that have the lowest income can avoid it which is fantastic.

It is very odd when you see so many plastic bags being used in UK and Northern Island supermarkets, such a waste

It makes me laugh that governments try to convince us that the plastic bag will polute & contribute to global warming.It’s nonsense…It’s not the big oil/gas company’s destroying our lands & oceans with oil & slick removing chemicals,it’s not all the power stations billowing out fossil fumes..so they want to tax u on a few plastic bags,meanwhile china and India including other countries are burning shiploads of coal a daily to provide power for their people…huhh?? They make u think plastic bags are going to end the world,just bullshit politicians trying to avoid real issue’s and enforce real change in the world..It’s a big joke..Not to mention gas fracking that pumps over 350 chemicals into our water table which destroys it..no no no that’s ok,that’s fine no problems there eh……..People in the states dying from this practice,but our politicians are affraid of the corporate elite and won’t stand up to defend us..Shame on you politicians,it is what you’ll be remembered for.France have an outright governmental ban.I know where I’ll be moving!!

A few years ago I was in Whales for a weekend. My wife turned to me and said “This place is just beautiful” I said “yeh it is but its a shame about the plastic bags all over the place” her reply was “what plastic bags, what are you on about”

There is no plastic bag problem in countries that don’t charge for them. Its a made up story to charge us all a little extra tax. And before someone go’s of on the “But the figures don’t lie” rant. Yes they do. There are lies dam lies and then there are statistics!

Never used Walmart (USA) plastic bags for sale 10 cent each or buy 10 get 1 free. Ph 01 8555379.