Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: Seanad Éireann declines to give the Bill a Second Reading as:

- the Bill could place Ireland in breach of Articles 34 and 35 on the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU which relates to the principle of the free movement of goods;

- the EU’s analysis, consultation and notification requirements of member states which wish to seek an exception to this principle on environmental grounds have not been met;

- furthermore, the Bill has significant flaws and would also create unintended consequences concerning extraterritorial effects;

the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government intends to:

- engage in the necessary consultation with stakeholders regarding a domestic legislative ban on micro-beads to commence at the earliest possible date;

- develop proposals for a wider Marine Bill to be published in 2017 which would, among other things

- provide the legislative basis for a network of marine protected areas as required by the marine strategy framework directive,

- make necessary amendments to the Dumping at Sea Acts, and

- contain the legislative basis for a domestic ban on micro-beads that would be compliant with EU law;

- continue the ongoing work which Ireland undertakes, both domestically and in co-operation with our regional and international partners, to educate on, prevent and undertake research into the causes of marine litter, including micro-plastics;

- continue to actively campaign for an EU-wide ban on micro-beads and work collaboratively with the European Commission when it commences work on this issue in early 2017.

I wish to add balance to the debate. While I do not doubt the bona fides or intent and passion of Senator Grace O'Sullivan and others who have spoken about this issue, it is already national policy that we work towards banning micro-beads and the dumping of plastics, particularly micro-plastics into our marine waters. Without wanting to sound patronising or lecture, I urge Senators not to take offence just because the Government does not accept their Bill. They are doing a job of work in raising awareness through this debate in the Seanad. They have already done this in bringing the Bill before the House. However, the Minister and his officials have already indicated that they are working towards a wider ban on micro-beads by working with our EU partners and the European Commission. I was an Opposition Senator for almost five years, during which time we introduced many Bills in the House. Ironically enough, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the time was former Deputy John Gormley. None of the Bills was accepted, but we did not take offence because sometimes Opposition Bills will inform or urge the Government to take action. I, therefore, urge the Senators not to take offence just because Government is opposing the Bill.

The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, is a former Minister with responsibility for the marine. Like Senator Grace O'Sullivan, he has been participating in marine sports and other marine interests throughout his life. I come from the same county as the Senator. While I do not have the same background in marine activities, I take a deep interest in them. No individual or party has a monopoly of green interests; I certainly have such an interest. However, we might have different views on introducing legislation to address the deficits. This is one area in which there is a deficit and the Government is committed to taking action to deal with it. The Minister has indicated in correspondence and otherwise to Senators that he is working with EU partners and the European Commission to introduce legislation in 2017. He has indicated - I say this with no disrespect - that the Bill is flawed and that it does not go far enough in some areas. While it covers personal care products and cosmetics, it does not take into account detergents and scouring agents. More thought and consultation with stakeholders are required to ensure these areas will be included, leading to more effective legislation when finalised. Further thought needs to be given to regulation and sanction, while engagement with stakeholders is also required.

I urge Senators not to take offence. They have support in the House and more support than they believe from the Minister. With continual engagement in coming months, a more effective Bill will be introduced that will take into account the concerns of the proposers of the Bill before the House. My colleagues and I will work to ensure this because we all have an obligation to ensure we have a sustainable environment on land and at sea. We have made strong progress in recent years in that regard. Senators have alluded to the plastic bag levy and the smoking ban. We can make further progress in areas such as waste management and on how best to sustain the environment. I, therefore, ask Senators not to take deep personal offence, as they seem to be taking. In parliamentary politics the Government will often oppose in order to try to enhance legislation. In the first instance, the Senators have started a debate that is warranted and created awareness of micro-beads which are a terrible ecological affliction on the environment, which we all want to work towards eradicating but in more complete legislation that will be brought before the House in 2017.