Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to see this legislation on the agenda. As Deputy Sherlock knows, last year I brought similar legislation before the Seanad.

I had a guarantee from the then Minister that he would inform the European Commission that Ireland wanted a prohibition on the manufacture and sale of microbeads and microplastics in Ireland. The first question is whether we can find out from the Minister what is the situation regarding his informing of the Commission. At the time, the then Minister spoke about bringing in an oceans Bill, which is not on the legislative programme, so I would like the Department to tell me whether there has been any progress in that regard, particularly because of what Deputy Sherlock said. We are a maritime nation and have over 7,000 km of beautiful coastline. We pride ourselves on the Wild Atlantic Way and maritime tourism. We are seeing evidence of microplastics and macroplastics on our shorelines. Coastwatch Ireland has done huge work in building up the evidence, which involves actually finding the pieces. These microplastics and microbeads are going into the food chain. As scientists at NUI Galway have the evidence to show in shrimps and prawns that these little pieces of plastic are in the stomachs of marine life that we in turn eat, a big health problem is coming down the line in this regard. I am fully in support of pursuing this legislation, as is the Green Party, and supporting Deputy Sherlock.

Yesterday, we received information that the European Commission has issued a draft release on plastics strategy as part of its circular economy package that has been in development for the past number of years. I agree with Deputy Sherlock that we as a maritime nation should be taking a lead on this. The Commission is talking about having a new plastics strategy, which includes recommendations for tackling microplastics under the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals regulation. This is where we see that the Commission is starting to take action. I would like to see this legislation proceed through the Houses and to have more information back from the Department to tell us exactly where we are. We know a letter was sent but what is the outcome? We need the outcome, we need to support this legislation and we need to take a lead as a maritime nation and to be seen as a nation that recognises the value of our marine environment from an economic, social and tourism perspective. Deputy Sherlock has our full support with regard to this legislation.