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

I agree with the concerns regarding PFAS materials but that is something we have to regulate and legislate for at a European level. We are actively involved in that and should be progressive and rigorous in directing the use of those materials away from potentially adverse environmental or health impacts. It is a matter for European regulations legislation, not national, so I cannot accept amendment No. 18.

I welcome the contributions of Deputies O'Rourke and Cronin on Committee Stage that inspired amendment No. 19. It is sensible and, again, strengthening. I think the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, said on Committee Stage that a report would make a significant contribution so I welcome that Government amendment which came from a suggestion by Sinn Féin Deputies.

Turning to Deputy Bruton, there will obviously be complex details. The end of this year is the rough timeline for the latte levy and the change of the use, as well as the deposit refund scheme and those sort of measures, to come into place. On reviewing that, monitoring it and ensuring there are not abuses, one of the benefits of the approach we are taking was initiated by the Deputy when he was Minister, namely that there was a stakeholder approach behind the waste plan that involved industry, environmental organisations and other civil society elements as well as the Department. That is the best check against there being abuses or use of materials to try to get around this. That stakeholder approach and the ongoing work between industry, retailers, the Department and environmental NGOs is the best safeguard. It is hard to predict exactly what the Deputy is predicting but that stakeholder approach is the best way to address it.

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