Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to amendments Nos. 49 and 50. The Minister of State will be familiar with amendment No. 49 because it was raised in the Dáil on Committee Stage as well. It refers to the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS. These are the coatings that are used in single-use items. It was raised with us under pre-legislative scrutiny. In fact, a report that was lodged with the committee found that items which are used for takeaway materials in the Oireachtas have much higher levels of PFAS lining in them than what is considered safe. However, this is not just about the health implications for people who are eating items out of products that have PFAS linings; it is also about the manufacture of them. During my time in the European Parliament, there was an Italian community that was completely destroyed. Its water source was absolutely undrinkable and there were huge health implications for an entire village because they were manufacturing these chemicals there. I would like to hear the Minister of State’s response as to whether he can accept this amendment.