Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman. I thank colleagues who have welcomed the principle of the Bill. It is very clear there is an intention on the part of the House, on a cross-party basis, to legislate for the issue and to ensure that we can put in place a robust mechanism that will offset the dire economic costs of the presence of microbeads and micro-plastics in our environment.

I thank Members for their support in the first instance when the legislation was introduced. The Green Party Deputies were the originators of the Bill and I acknowledge their role. We hope to bring this legislation a step further in seeking to deal with the legal issues pertaining to the European Union and the specific treaty provisions. I reiterate that I accept the bona fides of the Minister, Deputy Coveney and Minister of State, Deputy English on the Government's intention to legislate on this issue. Since proposals will come before the Government in June, if I understand the Ministers correctly, I would hope that we could be in some space to have this before us again by autumn of this year. Am I correct in understanding that there may be a proposal to bring it before the Government in June? The officials are not saying that.

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