Minister O’Brien changes some protocols of Ireland’s DRS

Today, Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, has requested the Oireachtas to approve amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations. Additionally, the Minister is seeking approval for planning exemptions to allow retailers to implement the government's new 'Deposit and Return' initiative for plastic or aluminium bottles.

The move will help these businesses save hundreds of euros in 2023. These changes will permit the continued exemption of license fees for outdoor dining for restaurants, cafés, hotels, and pubs throughout Ireland.

The government plans to introduce a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans as part of its commitment to waste reduction. This scheme involves charging a small deposit on drink containers that are refunded to customers when they return the container for recycling. Before this, many questions were raised about the recycling programme's feasibility. Scotland was also toiling really hard with the resolution of paying for waste return, but The Humza Yousuf Government somehow managed to keep up with the situation.

Minister O'Brien commented: "This year Government are further supporting businesses across the country with another waiver of the street furniture licence fee. The outdoor dining experience has been incredibly popular with the public. For a small café or restaurant, this fee can represent another financial burden, and hospitality businesses still need our help, so I am delighted to extend the provisions of these regulations for another year. When it comes to reverse vending machines, these planning amendments will help us ensure that we smooth the way to have the necessary infrastructure available for when the scheme begins in February 2024. Ultimately, they will make it easier for people to recycle and result in changes in consumer behaviour."

The scheme is set to launch in February 2024 and requires retail outlets to modify their infrastructure to accommodate 'reverse vending machines' (RVMs). To facilitate this, Minister O'Brien has proposed amendments to the existing Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to exempt the installation, alteration, repair, or replacement of RVMs and to include a new definition of "reverse vending machine" in the regulations.

Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, explained: "We all have our part to play in tackling climate change and improving our environment. Recycling is one of those activities where everyone has a chance to play a role, and I'm looking forward to the start of the new Deposit and Return Scheme introduced by my colleague, the Minister of State for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth. Reverse vending machines will make it easier for all to take part, and today's amendments to planning regulations will smooth their roll-out."

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell, concluded: "Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, and I'm delighted that we are extending this important support for hospitality businesses. I hope that even more businesses can avail of the opportunity to offer outdoor dining – benefitting their operations in the forthcoming summer season and enlivening our towns and cities."