Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of warnings from an organisation (details supplied) that its members may raise prices for household recycling collection following the introduction of the deposit return scheme; the measures he is taking to prevent this; the actions he is taking to protect consumers from these prices hikes; to report on his engagement with industry to discuss the matter; the dates on which these meetings took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29089/24]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his engagement with the waste management industry in advance of the introduction of the deposit return scheme; if any understanding was developed with the industry that it would be insulated from losses following the introduction of the scheme (details supplied); if so, what the understanding included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29090/24]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his engagement with the domestic waste sector following the announcement of waste collection price hikes due to a reduction in revenue as a result of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29787/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 95 and 113 together.

The introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans is one of the most positive consumer behaviour initiatives to happen in this country for decades – similar to the plastic bags initiative, or the ban on harmful cigarette smoke in our workplaces.

Every day now, over 3 million plastic bottles and cans are being returned by consumers themselves, which is remarkable and testament to the success of the initiative.

In developing the DRS, my Department engaged extensively with all stakeholders:

• The Department established a DRS sub-group of the national Waste Advisory Group with representatives from the producers, retailers, environmental NGOs and the waste sector. The minutes from those meetings are published on the Department’s gov.ie website.
• A public consultation was carried out in October 2020 on the potential models for a DRS. This consultation, along with copies of submissions received, has been published on the Department’s gov.ie website.
• A second public consultation was carried out in April 2021 on the proposed legislative framework and scope of the DRS. This consultation, along with copies of submissions received, has also been published on the Department’s gov.ie website.