Climate Change Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2019

Tuesday, 9 July 2019

Questions (567)

Denis Naughten

Question:

567. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics; the public bodies and agencies under his remit to which he has issued an instruction to cease the purchase and use of single-use plastics; when the instruction issued; the bodies which have confirmed that they no longer purchase and use single-use plastics, respectively; the bodies which have not provided such confirmation to date; when they will confirm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29977/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In line with the Government Decision on the 4th of January of this year, my Department has ceased the use of single use plastics in all of its canteen facilities. All stocks of plastic beverage containers, cutlery, straws etc. were used up by the end of March and they have now been replaced with either compostable or metal alternatives. This was done in conjunction with an awareness campaign across the Department to make staff aware of the societal benefit of eliminating the use of single-use containers by replacing them with reusable containers.

Earlier this year, my Department wrote to all state bodies under its aegis to inform them of their obligation to cease the use of single use plastic cutlery and beverage containers. These bodies were also informed of the requirement to submit a report to the Department by the end of November this year outlining their efforts to minimise waste generation and maximise recycling, as required by the Government decision.