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A Bill which would lead to the doubling of the plastic bag levy to 44 cent is to be introduced later this year, the Department of Environment has indicated.

A spokesman for the department said the Bill is expected to be published next month and legislation paving the way for the move would be in place by the end of this year.

“It’s to ensure that there’s a sufficient deterrent against people moving back to plastic bags,” he said.

The levy was first introduced in March 2002 at a rate of 15 cent per bag. It has since generated over €120 million for the exchequer.