Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am fairly confident that we would have the numbers in this House to get the measure through. I am supportive of the Minister. It is not an easy job, but he has signalled today that he does not want to change the current system. That is the point I am making. We need to win the hearts and minds of the people and not turn this into another water charges row. We have to be seen as not just changing the charging system but helping people by introducing a deposit refund scheme and cutting out waste at source. This is a very concrete, specific and achievable measure. The Taoiseach will have to win over the Minister and his Department as they do not want to do it because it would be tough and not easy, but it is being done in France where these cups will be banned by 2020. In loads of countries the deposit is given back and they have seen recycling rates go up to 90%. I hope the Bill will be brought to the floor of the House. If we do not have wait several months and can get another party to be the lead party, we would have a majority in the House. I am asking the Government to reconsider its position and support such practical measures in order that the people would know that we were making it easier for them to cut back on the black bin charge.

See this speech in context