A Government TD said politicians must “lead by example” following revelations they are not being charged for the deposit return scheme in Leinster House. 

The Oireachtas confirmed it will not be installing “a reverse vending machine” and has been granted a “take back” exemption from Re-Turn Ireland. 

The deposit return scheme sees a charge of 15 to 25 cent placed on cans and bottles, depending on their size, which can then be refunded using the reverse vending machine. 

Even though some bottles and cans for sale in the Oireachtas have the new “return” logo on them, the Oireachtas are yet to charge politicians in Leinster House the deposit. 

A worker demonstrates a Deposit Return Scheme Reverse Vending Machine in a Marks & Spencer supermarket in Dublin, 1-2-34. Image: Stephanie Rohan/Newstalk

The Oireachtas said this was partly due to “space constraints” in Leinster House, but Green Party TD Marc O'Cathasaigh disagrees. 

“I don't think space is an issue I think there’s plenty of space available,” he said. 

He conceded the Leinster House catering facilities might not be obligated to charge the deposit as a workspace: “I think probably the commercial aspect doesn’t stack up in the same way as it would do for a large supermarket, or even your local Centra.” 

“But I don’t think it comes down to simple economics. 

“I think people do expect leadership by example.” 

Deposit return scheme

Since the new return logo is on the containers sold in Leinster House, there are concerns customers who did not pay the deposit at the till can still claim it back elsewhere. 

Deputy O’Cathasaigh, however, said this strategy was unlikely. 

“There's very few TDs who are going to be packing their bags with a bunch of empty coke cans to the local Centra in order to get a deposit on it,” he said. 

“I think that’s the less the point – I think that given the decision was made in the house of the Oireacthas, we should be showing that leadership and abiding by the same rules that apply elsewhere.” 

Minister of State Ossian Smyth has also criticised the lack of deposit charged, claiming that the Oireachtas will be “losing money” if it pays the deposit themselves and does not pass it on to customers.