Irish see red over plastic bag tax
Date: 06-Mar-02
Country: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Author: Michael Roddy
"This is absolutely disgraceful. We pay enough tax on alcohol, tobacco and so on. This is just another tax," said Patricia Morrin, shopping in a supermarket in north Dublin.
The 15-euro-cent (nine pence) per bag levy, thought to be one of the EU's first of its type, is meant to pare way back the 1.2 billion bags given out annually in the state of 3.8 million residents.
The bags are a major eyesore in a country that promises tourists pristine beauty. Some critics say plastic bags flapping from trees are fast becoming Ireland's "national flag".
The tax was requested by the Department of Environment and Local Government, which says receipts would be used for environmental projects, but hopes to take in virtually no money.
"The levy was introduced to remove a highly visible form of litter from our streets and from the countryside," said department spokesman Conor Falvey. "We have said that the optimum level of revenue from the levy is nil."
The government has been preparing the public for months, urging shoppers to buy and re-use sturdy bags.
That did not assuage irate shoppers who said it was one tax too many in a country with one of the EU's highest living costs.
"It's terrible, it's a disgrace. I don't think it's right," said pensioner Mary Hayden. "They are putting the price of food up without telling us. I feel sorry for the poor people."
Some shoppers were more supportive.
"I think it's a great thing," said teacher Eileen Kearney.
"Plastic bags are a mess. There's litter everywhere 'round our way and anyway it's easy to remember to bring your own bags once you get used to it.
"And the bags you buy yourself don't rip when you're halfway home."
Businesses' views have been mixed, but generally supportive.
The influential Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) warned that the plastic bag tax could be the precursor of other environmental taxes and has said an extension to areas such as the use of energy would be unfair.
But Mary Kelly, IBEC's assistant director for environment and industrial policy, told state broadcaster RTE:
"From an IBEC point of view no business likes the imposition of a tax any more than any individual does.
"But this particular tax has been well and truly consulted with the businesses involved and with the retail sector in particular," she added.