Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 8, the Micro-plastic and Micro-bead Pollution Prevention Bill, be taken before No. 1 today. We see the impact of plastic waste on our marine ecosystems in the rivers and oceans of the world. This plastic is filling habitats and demonstrates a careless disposal of waste. Most shocking of all, these little plastic beads, which are contained in face washes and shower gels, are intended to go into the water system. From there, they make their way into the marine food chain. Our EU membership involves obligations to look after our marine environment. The marine strategy framework directive obliges Ireland to ensure its seas and coasts have a good environmental status by 2030. Yesterday, the Italian Parliament passed a bill to ban microbeads following the path set by the US, the UK, France and several other countries. I hope this Bill will go some way towards addressing the challenge of pollution in the marine ecosystem.