Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Phil Hogan.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
packaging recovery and recycling system. The packaging analysis will build on the initial levy
consultation and will examine other relevant issues in the packaging arena, such as deposit and
refund. The aim of the review is to identify any changes to PRI policy which are required to
ensure that Ireland is in a position to meet more challenging waste recovery and recycling
targets in the future in the most cost-effective manner possible.
It is important to note also that there are legal requirements in place in relation to the
composition and reusable/recoverable nature of packaging. Article 9 of the Packaging Directive
provides that packaging may not be placed on the market within the European Union unless
it satisfies the provisions of the Directive i.e. it must comply with the essential requirements
on the composition and the reusable and recoverable nature of packaging as provided for in
Annex II of that Directive. In this regard, Annex II of the Directive explicitly provides that
packaging shall be designed, produced and placed on the market in such a way as to permit its
reuse or recovery, including recycling and composting.
The essential requirements of packaging are transposed into national law under the provisions
of article 28 of, and the Fourth Schedule to, the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations
2007. The regulations provide that a person may not supply packaging or packaged
products to the Irish market unless the packaging concerned complies with essential requirements
as to its nature and composition. In effect, those essential requirements provide that
packaging must be prevented so that only the minimum amount necessary is used for the
containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods. Furthermore, packaging
must be recoverable — either by means of material recycling, energy recovery, composting or
by biodegradation. I continue to encourage the use of recycled material in the manufacturing
of new products through the RX3 programme. This programme supports the development of
markets for recyclates, identifies new opportunities for waste materials and stimulates business
ideas by providing support and advice for the sector. Further information on RX3’s work to
create markets for recycled materials is available on www.rx3.ie.
Local Government Charges
420. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local
Government if he will list the ways in which persons may pay the household charge. [7633/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan):
The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household
Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge.
There is a range of options available for persons to pay the household charge. An online
system www.householdcharge.ie is in place in the Local Government Management Agency
(LGMA) to enable homeowners to pay the household charge by credit/debit card or in four
instalments by direct debit. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque, postal
order, credit/debit card or in four instalments of €25 by direct debit by completing the relevant
payment details on the declaration form and posting it to Household Charge, PO Box 12168,
Dublin 1. Instalment payments are available by direct debit only and persons opting to pay in
this way must register their details by 1 March, 2012.
A bureau is in place in the LGMA to administer the charge on a shared service/agency
basis for all local authorities. In addition, all county/city councils have been requested to have
arrangements in place for persons to attend their principal offices to pay the household charge
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