Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

He declared that he was the Minister with responsibility for marine protection. Having worked with Deputy Simon Coveney for a number of years, I know about his passion for marine issues. In fact, he put up his hand when I was looking for a volunteer to take on the task of refurbishment of Great Island. A lot of work - €60 million worth - has been done to tackle environmental degradation. However, I do not think someone can, Charlie Haughey-esque, bring his or her pet projects with him or her as he or she marches across Departments. There is a need for clear lines of demarcation. I understand the EPA which has statutory responsibility in this area is within the remit of the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten. A little clarity would be helpful. Nonetheless, having read the commentary of the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, I am glad that it is the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, who is responding to this debate.

There are a number of things we need to do. One of the things we could do is take an incremental approach as issues arise. The argument is we cannot act until there is an EU consensus. The Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, has indicated to the House that both the United Kingdom and France, having notified the European Union of their intention to do so, will be instituting such a ban before the end of the year. He has also indicated that a similar ban will be extant in Ireland by the end of the year. Perhaps that is his objective, but I wonder if it is achievable as we have not seen the legislation. It has been indicated that it might be an addendum to the foreshore Bill which is due to be published next month. The Dáil will go into recess early in July. Will the Bill be, as the Minister indicated, enacted and implemented by the end of the year? I am very interested in hearing specifically what the Minister of State has to say on that point.

Deputy Sean Sherlock has been very honest in saying this is a really important issue but that it is part of a suite of issues that need to be addressed. We have all seen the analysis in recent times that, within the foreseeable future, the total weight of plastics in the oceans will be the equivalent of, if not greater than, the total weight of fish and marine life.

That is a shocking thought. Remote islands in the Pacific Ocean that are thousands of miles away from significant habitation are subject to massive landfalls of plastics, which are non-degradable and permanent and have an enormous impact on ecosystems, such as the turtles which come onshore to nest and lay their eggs. We really need to have a global response to the problem and I certainly welcome the building of an international consensus within the EU. This does not, however, stop us from taking an initiative and being at the vanguard of change.

I hope the Bill, which will now pass Second Stage, will not simply be parked. The Labour Party has no proprietorial claims over the Bill if there are better ways of doing this but it will be overtaken by better legislation or we will seek to bring this Bill forward and have the Government amend Deputy Sherlock's Bill on Committee Stage. Either way we are setting down a very clear view today that the Labour Party wants these measures enacted, with the objective of ensuring that this form of marine pollution is no longer happening on the island of Ireland. We can do this by taking the unilateral action as set out in the Bill or by working in consort with others but it is important that we do it as early as possible.

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