Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 10, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “(2) The Agency shall produce a report on the implementation of these Regulations after the first 12 months of their operation and lay this report before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The report shall include an overview of implementation including any exemptions granted with details thereof, product tests undertaken and results and any recommendations to further prevent microbead and other microplastic pollution.

(3) The Agency shall produce subsequent reports under this section as it considers appropriate.”.

In his Second Stage speech the Minister gave some indications on this issue, but perhaps he could clarify further. We spoke earlier about the fact that this is an evolving area. As the Minister acknowledged, it is in the context of marine protection and increasing concern about the marine. I note, and this might appear to be a tangent but I do not believe it is, that the Minister spoke about marine protection legislation. The marine protected areas is another proposal that came from this House. It was originated by the then Senator, Grace O'Sullivan, and co-signed by me, Senator Ruane and others. I appreciate what the Minister said about that process and that consideration. It is one we might have an opportunity to engage on because having put forward the proposals we are very interested in the direction of travel.

Similarly, we want something that indicates the Minister will track this so that what we have signalled as loopholes do not emerge as such. We do not wish see a wide range of products which we are told are technically fat soluble and not water soluble, even though it might be soap and water that is used to remove them so they end up entering the waterways. We also do not wish to see fluid plastic being used, or the fact that a shape may change over the course of usage being used as an exemption. It is about tracking those concerns about loopholes. We know that wherever there is a possible loophole it will be used.

The Minister addressed this issue briefly on Second Stage but perhaps he will confirm something with regard to the Environmental Protection Agency. We did not comment on it under other sections but I commend the fact that both resources and powers are being given to the agency in respect of this legislation. That is positive because too often legislation is passed without mechanisms or resources for its enforcement. I commend that aspect of the Bill. Will the Environmental Protection Agency produce a report on how the regulations have been implemented and bring that to the Houses of the Oireachtas to give us a chance to examine evidence on how this new and, in some senses, innovative law is playing out in practice? The Minister indicated something about that on Second Stage but will he confirm that the Houses will have the opportunity to see a report from the EPA on these issues within 12 months of the Bill being passed?