Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to eliminate the use of one-off plastics; if it is planned to legislate to ban the use of one-off plastics either immediately or on a phased basis; the barriers to doing this; the progress made in this regard in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy outlines the measures Ireland is taking to substantially reduce the amount of single use plastic items we use and to sustainably manage the waste arising from those we do. The initial impetus in this area arises from the Single Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904) which has a transposition deadline of 3 July 2021. From this date single use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, balloon and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market. This ban will also apply to expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic. The Plan also details our ambition to lead EU efforts on dealing with disposable coffee cups through the introduction of a latte levy and an eventual ban on disposable coffee and cold drinks cups.
