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THE DEPARTMENT OF the Environment is considering introducing a new tax on disposable fast-food containers, cans and plastic bottles.
As first reported in the Irish Times, the tax would be similar to the plastic bag levy introduced in 2002.
The new taxes are being considered partly due to falling revenue for the Environmental Fund. Currently, the fund consists of the ring-fenced income from the plastic bag levy and the landfill levy.
Falling Revenue
However, the fund has been a victim of its success. The Department of the Environment notes:
As economic instruments, the objective of these levies is to influence and change behaviour. Inevitably, the more successful these economic instruments are in achieving their environmental objectives… the less revenue is available to the Environmental Fund.
According to the Department of Environment, revenue to the fund was €65.7 million in 2012, €58.1 million in 2013, falling to €48.5 million in 2014 and €43.86 million in 2015.
The biggest fall has been in the landfill levy, with Ireland’s level of recycled waste now above the European average.
The plastic bag levy has also been effective, with the department estimating that in 2001 people used 328 bags a year. Now it is just 14 a year on average.
The Minister’s Brief from May says the review of the fund will:
Seek to identifying (sic) broader based revenue streams which could have the twin benefit of increasing income to the Fund and also positively influencing consumer behaviour e.g. to drive recycling of plastic bottles or cans, or to switch away from disposable fast-food containers.
The fund is used for initiatives such as Environmental Protection Agency research and development projects, enforcement of laws and raising environmental awareness. The Department also spent €147,081 in 2014 on the development of measures aimed at reducing climate change and pollution.
Altering behaviour
Mindy O’Brien, the coordinator of VOICE, says the environment charity has suggested introducing a packaging levy since 2011 “to alter consumer and business behaviour and to reflect the polluter pay principle.”
The fact is that much of this packaging is used for about ten minutes and then thrown away. As most people who use such packaging are on-the-go, there are very few incentives or infrastructure in place to collect and recycle this packaging… Much of this packaging is difficult to recycle as it is made of composite plastic. Most takeaway coffee cups are not recyclable due to the thin plastic liner.
She hopes that a tax would encourage people to avoid plastic packaging and bring their own reusable containers.
However, she suggests that a deposit/refund scheme, such as that used in some Australian states, be used for plastic bottles and cans as there are no alternative containers.
So what do you think? Should we introduce the tax?
This must be true, it’s written by a senior Fianna Failer and they’re experts on cynical power grabs! They never reformed the Seanad in any way in all the years they were in power yet now they say ‘it needs reform’ because someone’s threatening to abolish it, pretty cynical there really.
Abolish and you create the biggest political power grab since the British occupation of this country.
Dont know why your red thumbing Alan . That is factually correct . The irish president also loses any power to oppose implimenting laws from the EU only the Dail will now be required to pass them
Abolish and you get rid of a talking shop with no power or teeth. Good riddance.
Whats cynical is that political parties are using the referendum as a political point scoring exercise and a leader who is more interested in photo bombing than debating . And lets not forget his lies in the dail last week €20 million to be saved !
How can you grab power from an institution that never had it I’m the first place…?
It’s not all about you, O’Reilly.
From that response you obviously haven’t a clue on whats at stake. I suggest reilly who trot back to bed wake up a read up on this important referendum. Or fall in line with the rest of the ill informed FG group.
Not a clue? Like those asking that this ludicrous joke be kept?!
Way to ignore all those calling for reform there enola. :D
I hear the bell a ringin’,
It’s coming to an end,
And I ain’t been this happy since,
I don’t know when.
It’s the end of Seanad Eireann,
Crumble and down she’ll fall,
But that bell will keep a tollin’,
Till they reform the Dáil.
AlanH, what are the Seanad currently gate-keeping that renders its abolition a significant cause of concern?
Agree. Vote NO in the forthcoming referendum to stave off political vandalism. If the Seanad is perceived to be ineffective who do we think might be responsible for that? No less a person than our esteemed Taoiseach stated in a radio interview a week or so ago that the “Seanad had been hijacked by the Dail”. There you have it. Clear as crystal – The Seanad has been hijacked by the Dail. If its broken fix it.
Regardless buddy I have a medical kit in my press. I have not opened it at all in the two years ive had it , so far it has served me no purpose at all and it taking up space in the press. But maybe im just mad thinking its best to have something and not need it than need something and not have it
Speaking of power my only piece of power hasn’t arrived in the letter box yet, my voting card!!!
You don’t need your voting card. Just bring ID to your usual polling station.
Cool man thanks for the heads up
No problem Marc
Cynical in that the money being saved is already ear marked for a new court of appeal
That’s also a bad idea, Shay.
the Seanad is a joke , given the EU and European courts etc there is much more oversight then could be imagined when it was setup originally. Everything about this issue is token though , why don’t we get asked about serious issues???? I want a referendum that a future treacherous government wont have the power to bailout private banks and be more concerned about the interest of foreign hedge funds over its own citizens.
It’s a bit rich for Fianna Fail to lecture us on power grabs. Just two Fianna Fail politicians, Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan, decided on the blanket bank guarantee in September 2008. The rest of the cabinet wasn’t even consulted, never mind Dail Eireann, never mind the Senate.
Paul the Cabinet were in different locations on the night of Sept 30th 08….they had a conference call meeting and all who couldn’t be contacted were consulted for their voted…it is illegal to make government decision without the consent of the cabinet…this government arguably are behaving unconstitutionally by virtually running the country through the 4 man EMC ( economy management council ) made up of Msrs Howlin , Noonan Kenny and Gilmore…
What was Niall Collins saying when Fianna Fáil was preventing by-elections to the Dáil in order to preserve its artificial majority? The fundamental protection of citizens is through the right to vote. A right that was denied them too long by Fianna Fáil who know what a real power grab looks like. Where were you then, Niall?
It looks like FG are trying to do all that is necessary to reduce the possibility of FF or anybody standing on FG’s heads again..FG don’t give a toss about the Seanad or anybody else…This is an exercise in self-preservation.
Now theres a surprise a politician asking us not to shut down there handy part time number that they can rely on even if the ordinary citizens dont elect them.
No medical cards for children with special needs but theres unlimited funds for the political elite !
Whats your point MK..??
I’m loath to agree with Fianna Fáil on much these days, but, they’re right to oppose this referendum. It’s bad – very bad – for our democracy. See the reasons why I’ll be voting no here: http://wp.me/pJEMW-cQ
Finna fukoff…
How did FF deny people their voting rights Colin..??
Wouldnt listen to a word out of a FF polititian, and the way things have transpired over the past few years i wont be listening to any FG or LAB clowns either
The only way forward is reform of the senad. It’s a crèche for failed politicians and appointments. Elect them like in the Dail but ban all teachers from applying.
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