Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are two aims in the context of what is proposed. First, to make illegal by 2020 the sale or free distribution of single-use tableware that cannot be composted at a domestic composting facility and, second, the introduction of a bottle deposit scheme whereby people would pay a small deposit fee when purchasing beverages that would be reimbursed upon return of the empty can or bottle to a suitable facility. The estimated cost in this regard would be €200 million. Repak has expressed concern regarding how this scheme might affect its nationwide recycling infrastructure, which has proved effective in raising Ireland's recycling rate from a very low base to among the highest in Europe.

On Committee Stage, Fianna Fáil will work to address these concerns. Although convenient, single-use tableware can present a major issue for Ireland's environment. In one area of County Kerry, 30% of roadside waste is made up of disposable coffee cups. The percentage for plastic bottles is not much lower. This creates unsightly waste at some of Ireland's most scenic and most visited roads and waterways. Cleaning up such waste costs local councils and community groups a considerable amount in terms of resources. In the United Kingdom, up to 3 billion coffee cups are thrown away every year. Currently, the vast majority of these cups cannot be recycled because they are coated with plastic. Certain producers and retailers are, however, leading the way in the area of recycled and compostable products.

Fianna Fáil wholeheartedly supports the principle behind the Bill to which the motion relates. We recognise that recycling can only go so far and that it needs to be complemented by measures to simply cut down on the amount of waste we produce on a daily basis. This was part of the reason that Fianna Fáil introduced a levy on plastic bags in 2002; a policy change which drastically reduced the number of plastic bags used in Ireland from approximately 328 per capitato 21. We need to identify and support initiatives that reduce both unnecessary packaging and waste.

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