Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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212. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has written to the European Commission to notify it that the Government plans to introduce legislation to ban microbeads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38865/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I informed Commissioner Vella by letter on 25th November last of my recent announcement that Ireland is beginning a process which will lead to a legislative ban on all products which contain microbeads in 2017. I subsequently forwarded a copy of my letter to Senator Grace O’Sullivan, who had tabled legislation on the issue in the Seanad. The proposed legislative ban will be part of wide ranging legislation on the marine environment which will also contain legal provision for the designation of a broad range of marine protected areas. In addition, this legislation will also make necessary amendments to the Dumping at Sea Acts.

I expect my Department to begin a consultation on the proposed ban on microbeads shortly , involving engagement with all of the relevant stakeholders. I am conscious that any proposed ban has to be compatible with EU rules on the single market.

I would emphasise that because the issue of marine litter is transboundary in nature, the most effective solutions will be those which have the widest scope of implementation. In this regard, we will continue to engage with and support relevant initiatives at EU and OSPAR level. We will also work closely with the EU Commission on the issue of micro plastics as part of their wider plastics strategy in 2017.

Ireland will also continue to undertake significant research in this matter which will underpin a science-led approach in policy formulation and continue to support programmes which will heighten awareness of the problem and lead to positive societal behaviour change in this matter.