Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the issue is pursued further, I have a suggestion for the Minister. I accept that there are concerns relating to the medical perspective but we will have a separate discussion on the single use plastics directive when that legislation comes through. The sooner we see meaningful legislation rather than levies, the better. The sooner we see proper legislation on prohibitions relating to single use plastics, the better. Exemptions within that legislation will be needed, however. For example, the use of straws by persons with disability will have to be provided for, as will the reclassification of certain materials with plastics as medical supports. That is a different categorisation. It will be a pertinent issue in our general debate on the regulation of plastics because of the nature of certain plastics objects. I hope what are currently everyday objects will not continue as everyday objects but some may still be necessary for those with particular medical needs or particular disabilities. In that regard, I suggest that when we look to the matter there may be scope for ensuring that we capture any situation in which there may be a medical necessity, such as that outlined by the Minister relating to sunscreen. Anyway, that should not provide a loophole for what are unfortunately increasingly prevalent products like shimmer products. Certain sunscreens contain shimmer and things that are effectively cosmetic and not medical. Such elements have been added to sunscreen.

There is a nuance here. I appreciate that our amendment might not capture that nuance, but it is important that we move ahead and capture that nuance.