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Ireland’s levy on plastic bags is set to increase by 25 per cent to combat a steady rise in the use of bags since the levy was introduced in 2002.

Initially hailed as a great success, the use of plastic bags has since increased from 70 million in 2002 to 113 million last year.

In a bid to reverse the trend, environment minister Dick Roche has said he intends to increase the 15 cent bag levy (equivalent to 10p) before the end of the summer.

“I don’t want to see plastic bag use creeping back in. The law permits me to increase the levy and I am disposed to do that. I can only increase it to 19 cents under the law as it stands, and I will do that. But if necessary, I will seek parliamentary approval to go higher,” said Roche.

The levy, which has raised more than ?55m so far, is collected by retailers, and goes to a ring-fenced environment fund, to be spent on waste management, recycling and other green initiatives.