Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Yes, there is great appetite on the part of the public. Surveys are showing that people want this. However, at the same time I need to make sure that it is a successfully introduced scheme and that it takes account of all the concerns that are raised by cafés which have made their submissions so I am taking time over that. There will be some changes to the draft regulations as a result of what I read. There are cafés, such as Bread 41 on Pearse Street, that have done without disposable cups for some years and that have been very successful as a result. Some cafés have led on this and have saved themselves money, not just in the cost of a cup and lid, which can be 20c or more, but also with regard to the cost of storage and waste disposal. This measure will ultimately benefit both café owners and business, as well as consumers and the natural environment, by reducing litter. Irish Business Against Litter has very clearly said that coffee cups constitute a large portion of the waste it sees when it carries out its surveys.

See this speech in context