Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil cannot support the Bill. While we strongly support a ban on micro-plastic beads, we are anxious that the legislation to introduce a ban be conclusive. Studies have shown that micro-beads can be ingested by marine animals, leading to physical harm, including reproductive toxin effects. There is also evidence that micro-plastics are entering the human food chain and potentially damaging human health.

The Bill is poorly drafted and a number of its provisions have not been properly thought through. Its scope is not wide enough to reduce micro-plastic marine pollution caused by micro-beads. This is because it would only apply to cosmetics and body care products but not to detergents and scouring agents. Fianna Fáil will introduce its own Bill on the issue which will have wider scope and provide a stronger more robust legislation framework.

In the USA a ban on micro-beads in cosmetic and personal care products is due to be phased in in the coming years. There have been calls for a similar ban in the United Kingdom and the European Union to address what is considered by most experts to be a damaging and an entirely unnecessary source of micro-plastic pollution in marine environments.

Unfortunately, the Bill is in breach of Articles 34 and 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union with regard to the principle of the free movement of goods. Ireland should support a ban at EU level. The European Commission is due to commence consideration in early 2017 of a ban on micro-beads. Engagement at EU level should not preclude us from proceeding with a national ban; however, under EU law consultation would have to take place with the European Commission first.

The Bill does not set out a robust legislation framework or a realistic enforcement regime. In particular, weak enforcement mechanisms are set out in the Bill as no office would be tasked with investigation of production bans.

As this is all new to me-----