Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
87. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific actions he plans to take and associated timeframe involved to give practical effect to the EU's proposal on single use plastic; his further plans to ban specific single use plastic products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is currently one of the top performing countries in the EU in terms of recycling and recovery. In relation to recycling plastic packaging, Ireland is well ahead of its target set in European legislation, as reported in the EPA Progress Report Towards EU Targets 2017, as a result of programmes and initiatives taken to date.
On 28 May 2018, the EU Commission published a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This draft legislation proposes new EU-wide rules to target the 10 most prevalent single-use plastic (SUP) products found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together account for 70% of all marine litter.
The full text of the legislative proposal which sets out all the measures contained therein is available at the following link - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/single-use_plastics_proposal.pdf.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my response to question 36530/10 on 7 September 2018, the Commission has indicated that this proposal should be treated as a priority by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in order to deliver tangible results within a short timeframe. Nationally, I am engaging in a range of initiatives, including commissioning a study to explore how we can achieve the 90% target for plastic bottles sought by the Commission in the proposed SUP Directive. I am cognisant, however, that the Commission has warned of the risk of market fragmentation when Member States take measures in an uncoordinated manner, which differ in scope, focus and ambition level. Therefore, my immediate focus is to work closely with the Commission and my EU counterparts to ensure this proposed Directive is progressed as soon as possible.
