The plastic bag levy should be doubled to 30 cent, a Government politician said today.
Progressive Democrat Senator John Dardis said something needed to be done as evidence of plastic bag litter was beginning to re-emerge across the country.
"Consideration should be given to increasing the 15 cent levy, perhaps even doubling it to 30 cent," the Kildare South representative said.
Mr Dardis told the Seanad there could be no doubt that following the introduction of the levy in March 2002 the numbers of stray bags on streets, fields and hedges dropped dramatically.
He said everyone agreed that the provision of 1.2 billion plastic shopping bags free of charge to shoppers, prior to the levy, had been excessive and largely unnecessary.
However, he said some retailers now needed to be reminded of their obligations under the legislation.
"I am not certain that all retailers are even asking shoppers do they want a bag anymore," he said.
"Sometimes your goods are bagged before you get a chance to state your preference."
Mr Dardis recommended that the doubling of the levy should be poverty-proofed under the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and the increased revenue generated should go towards supporting environmental initiatives.
PA