The introduction of the 15c levy on plastic bags in the Irish Republic has brought an unexpected bonanza for environmental projects, which the tax has been put aside for.
But according to Ailish Forde, director general of the grocers' organisation RGDATA, there has also been a surge in the theft of shopping baskets from stores, which she estimates is costing the sector E2m a month.
She wants part of the levy used to offset losses and hopes to meet environment minister Martin Cullen to press her case.

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