Irish Retailers Accused Of Dodging Plastic Bag Tax

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

03 January 2003

Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) recently accused the Republic's retailers of attempting to avoid the 15 cent plastic bag levy imposed in order to cut down on waste and littering.

Speaking to the Irish media, Party spokesman, John Dallat claimed that some retailers are importing plastic bags into the country, charging customers the 15 cent tax, but failing to pass the proceeds on to the Irish Exchequer.

He urged cooperation between the Irish and UK governments on the issue, arguing that differing policies on environmental taxes such as this provide loopholes which can be utilised by the unscrupulous to avoid the levy altogether.

'The whole issue of waste and pollution doesn't recognise antiquated political borders, which have no relevance in a global world where the practice should be to harmonise policies...rather than create different ones,' he asserted, adding that: 'These and other matters must be acted upon by the relevant cross-border bodies.'

The UK government is currently divided on the issue of environmental taxes, and according to reports last October, Chancellor Gordon Brown rejected proposals put forward by Environment Minister, Michael Meacher to levy a 10p tax on supermarket shopping bags.

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