Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
149. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the research carried out into the merits of introducing a levy on disposable coffee cups;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the proposal to introduce a levy on disposable coffee cups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8930/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the merits of introducing a levy on disposable coffee cups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the level of engagement he has had with businesses that primarily sell coffee and other hot beverages that would be impacted by the implementation of a levy on disposable coffee cups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150, 152 and 153 together.
Legislative powers are in place, through the Circular Economy Act 2022, to implement environmental levies on a range of single use products including single-use cups, single-use containers and other forms of single-use packaging.
In 2022, the Department commissioned a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the merits of the introduction of a levy on single use cups and a public consultation on draft regulations was undertaken. It was envisaged at the time that a levy might be introduced in a similar way to the plastic bag levy (i.e. at the point of sale in a retail premises).
Following further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners, a different collection model, collecting the levy when cups are first placed on the market by producers or importers, was discussed. Such a revision would require an amendment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Department is working with the Revenue Commissioners on designing the provisions required to make this amendment.
Furthermore, in 2025, the Department commissioned an update to the RIA to explore the potential impacts of the revised collection model and any other policy measure to reduce single use cup consumption effectively. As part of this RIA, organisations potentially affected by a levy on single use cups were consulted via a questionnaire. That work is close to finalisation and will inform next policy steps. Any future regulations will be subject first to a public consultation.
