John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to speak to amendment No. 52, which I have tabled with Senator Dooley. We want to insert the word “recyclable” after the word “suitable”. I will give some background to the rationale for this proposal and explain why Senator Dooley and I want to pursue it. If a ban is applied to a single-use item by the Minister on the basis that a suitable reusable alternative is readily available, this amendment will ensure the reusable alternative is both recyclable and readily available. It will alleviate the risk that plastic reusable alternatives which are not recyclable are considered by the Minister as the readily available alternative. That is thought process behind this amendment. It would also avoid the unintended consequences of cheap 100% plastic cups claiming to meet the definition of “reusable” being selected as the suitable alternative. That is the thought process behind this amendment. Once again, we would be keen to hear the Minister of State’s views on it.