I can't belive that I am finally off to Dublin, Ireland. I can't wait to get there. At the same time I am a bit apprehensive about flying on my own. I am sure that I will make it out ok but being a first-timer to international travel my nerves are getting the better of me.
On a much funnier note, an article in today's Irish Independent, entitled "Cost of plastic bags to rise 4c" reveals a level of government control that even the US government wouldn't yet dream of trying. The article (http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1637244&issue_id=14232) begins by stating:
THE plastic bag levy will rise to 19c this summer.
Shoppers will have to fork out the equivalent of a 26pc hike at the till. Bags currently cost 15c.
The Government move comes after the scourge of the Irish countryside started to make a comeback.
Some stores had stopped charging the levy and were giving plastic bags out for free.
Shoppers are expected to pick up some 130 million plastic bags this year.
Environment Minister Dick Roche has instructed his department to bring in the increase, the Irish Independent has learned.
Shoppers will have to fork out the equivalent of a 26pc hike at the till. Bags currently cost 15c.
The Government move comes after the scourge of the Irish countryside started to make a comeback.
Some stores had stopped charging the levy and were giving plastic bags out for free.
Shoppers are expected to pick up some 130 million plastic bags this year.
Environment Minister Dick Roche has instructed his department to bring in the increase, the Irish Independent has learned.
Seriously, the government has a tax on the plastic bag. I was floored to find that out. The article continues to describe how plastic bags are a horrible thing for landfills in the country. I guess thats one of the problems with being a small island, there is not place to put garbage. Unlike Michigan where we are actually selling Canada garbage dumping space, Ireland seems to be running out of places to dump. Beyond the fact that such a tax exists, it generates about 20 million euro a year for the Irish government. While I recognize that I don't have an in-depth knoweldge of the Irish political scene, I think I am qualified to say that a tax on plastic bags is plain outragous. Taking "sin" taxes to a whole new stratosphere, I guess its wrong to not carry your groceries by hand.
Well, at least I won't have to worry about hearing "paper of plastic?". Instead it will be "Would you like to buy a plastic bag?"
4 comments:
Adam,
We just back from the airport after dropping you off on your trip to Ireland. We hope you have an awesome time and your editorial about the article was very funny.
We are so very proud of you!
Mom, Brian & Dad
If it's anything like Germany, you're better off buying a couple cloth bags on your first trip to the grocery store and bringing them with you whenever you go back...might not be the same in Ireland, but considering the plastic bag tax, I'd bet it is. =)
Midny-
Thanks for the advice. I wouls guess that it is like Germany since I had to buy plastic bags at about 9 euro cents a bag. I have gotten some paper bags from other things I have had to buy- Other things being some warmer clothes- so I plan to use those for a while.
Wow, that's something to get used to. The cloth bag might be a good idea too. I hope you're having a great time! Keep safe and have fun!
Catherine
Post a Comment