Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil wholeheartedly supports the principle behind this motion. In supporting the Bill, we will work constructively with our colleagues to improve and build upon what is the in the interests of creating a different Ireland which we can pass on with pride to the next generation.

I was struck by the first line of the motion, which acknowledges the gravity of the crisis for wildlife, rivers, lakes and oceans caused by the quantities of plastics that are finding their way into the environment. Our oceans and the wildlife within them are suffering and they need protection from the devastation caused by throwaway plastic items. It was devastating to hear Annalise Murphy, the Olympic sailor, say that a plastic bag had cost her at the Rio Olympic Games. While competing, a plastic bag became stuck on the rudder of her boat and it cost Ms Murphy quite a few places in the race.

At the current rate, there will be more plastic than fish in the seas and oceans by 2050. This is a very worrying statistic. The next generation represents a way forward. There is no doubt that the Green-Schools initiative is driving environmental management and education programmes. Promoting long-term whole-school action for the environment, Green-Schools is a student-led programme with involvement from the wider community. The programme is operated and co-ordinated by the environment and education unit of An Taisce. The work of students, in collaboration with teachers, parents, councils and local authorities, is second to none. Children learn the principles of reusing, reducing and recycling. They also learn to care for the environment from a very early age. These children can teach us a thing or two. The habits they learn will stay with them for a lifetime.

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