Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have read about and noticed both the issues the Deputy has raised. He might have noticed that this Government, especially under the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has been proactive on the issue of marine plastics in particular, creating an initiative with fishermen to take plastics out of the sea. We will also bring forward legislation around microbeads, on which the Deputy's colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, and Deputy Sherlock, brought forward Bills in the Houses. We are building on that legislation. I am a strong believer in marine protected areas. I am not going to give a commitment on a percentage of area on the floor of the House, but I believe there will be initiatives in this area from the Government.

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