Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will now turn to all the other issues raised, including one by the Acting Chairman, Deputy Eugene Murphy. Ireland's Clean Coast groups, which are led by An Taisce and supported by the Department, do great work and are viewed as world leaders in that respect. Some issues were raised around that. We welcome and want to have an input into legislation such as this Bill but we must take a comprehensive approach. The Minister and the Department will consider a bespoke marine environmental Bill covering this and linking all the issues, such as dumping at sea and marine protection areas.

Deputy Howlin asked about the process but either way we will try to find the quickest way to do it. I cannot give a timeline because we know the way this works. We are committed to doing it and we will make it happen. There is, however, a process to go through. It is not enough to just notify the Commission. According to Commission guidelines and rulings, Ireland is required to present a robust justification and this is what we are doing. We are doing it the right way to make sure it will stand the test of legislation.

On the problem of plastic disposable tableware, we understand the French are looking at the issue. It is worth noting the EU is trying to put together a comprehensive plastic strategy to address many such issues and we will honour it. We are part of the discussion and are monitoring it. We will certainly be part of the leadership and will not be sitting on the fence.

In regard to the issues raised by Sinn Féin, the UK will only achieve approval after making a robust justification, as we must do. France has submitted its views to the Commission and we will deal with that also. We never said we cannot do this. We agree with the intention and the sentiment and we want to do this but we must follow the procedure to make sure we have the robust justifications that are required. Consultation has already taken place in that regard. We are making progress. Senator Grace O'Sullivan's Bill would also have followed this process. We are committed to doing that. To be fair, when the Minister, Deputy Coveney, commits to doing something in the Dáil or the Seanad, he follows through and makes it happen. I believe Deputy Sherlock knows this. I want the House to believe us when we say we are intent on doing this. This is not to fob Deputies off today; we are intent on doing this and we will follow it through.

Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke on the marine litter problem and we all agree it is horrendous. We are supporting groundbreaking research to commodify green litter and turn it into a resource that would have great application in the developing world as well as in Ireland. I was a former Minister of State with a research portfolio, as was Deputy Sean Sherlock, and we are well aware of the great work being done in the research community in the commercial and education arenas and in bringing the two together through Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and other agencies. The Irish Research Council is doing great work. A lot is happening with our research people who are doing much good work around climate change and marine and environmental issues. Research is being carried out in University College Dublin, the National Maritime College of Ireland in Cork and in the Marine Institute in Galway. We need to build on that research and recognise it.

Deputy Catherine Martin spoke of monitoring. The EPA is currently funding research with a view to informing a micro-plastics monitoring programme. The Department, the Marine Institute and others are working nationally and with other states to develop an effective monitoring programme. It goes back to investing in research. We have committed to this as a country and we need to do more of it. I know many Deputies would not agree with me because of previous experience, but it is important and there are key areas in which we are doing this. If we invest in research it will future-proof our economy and help to future-proof our environment. This is important for people who live in Ireland as climate change is key. It is key in our agenda and it is certainly high up on the Minister's agenda also.

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