My Department's staff and key suppliers were informed directly upon receipt of the Government Decision of 3 January to cease purchase, directly or indirectly, of certain single-use plastics, namely beverage cups, cutlery and drinking straws. The purchase of new stocks of those items was ceased immediately.
On 9 January, the Justice Sector’s Energy Performance Officer wrote to the bodies operating under my Department’s aegis (listed below), advising them of the Decision.
Bodies were asked to provide me with details, by end-November 2019, on the measures being taken to minimise waste generation and to maximise recycling.
My own Department recently launched a Green Team, which will be working to raise awareness among staff on environmental and sustainability issues generally, including the need to minimise waste and energy use and to maximise recycling.
I have contacted the listed bodies to request that they provide a direct reply to the Deputy on their progress to date in implementing the Government Decision.
The relevant bodies are:
An Garda Síochána
Courts Service
Garda Síochána Inspectorate
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
Insolvency Service of Ireland
Inspector of Prisons
Irish Film Classification Office
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
Irish Prison Service
Legal Aid Board
Legal Services Regulatory Authority
National Disability Authority
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Policing Authority
Private Security Authority
Probation and Welfare Service
Property Services Regulatory Authority
