4th March 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY WELCOMES PLASTIC BAGS LEVY  

The Green Party has welcomed the new plastic bag levy that came into force today. It is only a small step towards waste reduction and re-use but it is welcomed . 

“We’re delighted at the introduction of the levy”, stated Councillor Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party today. “There may be teething problems with its introduction, but I’m sure after a few days people will remember to reuse their plastic bags. After years of refusing extra bags I’m glad that shops will now no longer try to cover you in plastic.

“It’s important that the Minister for the Environment does not use this environmental levy to help build the incinerators that he is proposing around the country.

“The message from today is reduce, re-use, recycle and the Green Party is behind this 100%”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe    087 265 2075 or 618 3082

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer 087 235 7551 or 618 4088