Shoppers have described a 15-cent levy introduced this morning on each plastic bag as another hidden tax.
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The levy is being imposed on all previously free bags by the Government in a bid to end the unsightly scourge of wind-blown discarded bags that litter the countryside.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, said the levy was expected to dramatically reduce the nuisance - and what he called "our insatiable use of free plastic bags". Funds raised will go toward schemes aimed at improving the environment.
But Ms Patricia Morrin, shopping in a supermarket in north Dublin, said: "This is absolutely disgraceful. We pay enough tax on alcohol, tobacco and so on. This is just another tax".
"It's terrible, it's a disgrace. I don't think it's right," said pensioner Ms Mary Hayden. "They are putting the price of food up without telling us. I feel sorry for the poor people".
But some shoppers support the tax. "I think it's a great thing," said Ms Eileen Kearney. "Plastic bags are a mess. There's litter everywhere round our way and anyway it's easy to remember to bring your own bags once you get used to it".
The Irish Business and Employers Confederation warned the plastic bag tax could be the precursor of other environmental taxes and has said an extension to areas such as the use of energy would be unfair.
Information about the "plastax" has been relayed to the public through a TV advertising and billboard campaign - and on the website www.10steps.ie.