PRESS RELEASE 16 March 2005

Green Party Critical of Gov. Gum U-turn

The Green Party has accused the Government of caving in to the demands of industry over the proposed chewing gum levy.

"The McIver Consulting Study was published less than 6 months ago. We're now seeing a complete reversal from the recommendations made to Government last September.

Ciarán Cuffe TD, the Green Party's Environment Spokesperson stated:

"We're also concerned at reports that the United States Ambassador intervened in this issue. We would have hoped that he had more important matters to address than chewing gum levies.

"Environment Levies are an essential part of addressing the litter problem. The lesson from the Plastic Bag Levy is that it worked and that the targeted approach should be extended to other areas such as ATM receipts, fast food and beverage containers.

"Litter is more than a nuisance, it threatens the success of our tourist industry. We're saddened that Minister Roche has backed down from the common-sense proposals made by his predecessor."

"Even the Economist Magazine in its World Review for 2005 had expressed the hope that ‘Dear, dirty Dublin' would soon be a place one would only read about in books, but sadly this U-turn means that it will not be the case."

ENDS