Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1166, 1173, 1181 and 1188 together.

My Department has not held any discussions with the Commission in relation to a European level plastics tax. While I am aware that the Budget Commissioner has commented on a variety of options in the context of future EU budgets, there have been no specific proposals made to Council.

Discussions between my Department and the EU in relation to actions on plastics have been in the context of the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy which the Commission published on 16 January 2018. The strategy is built around 4 key actions:

- Improving the economics and quality of plastics recycling

- Curbing plastic waste and littering

- Driving innovation and investment towards circular solutions and

- Harnessing Global Action.

The strategy focuses on plastics production and use and sets a goal of ensuring all plastic packaging is recyclable by 2030. The strategy lists future EU measures and recommends measures to national authorities and industry for the attainment of its goals. I am committed to full engagement with this Strategy and indeed expressed my commitment to Commissioner Karmenu Vella in a personal letter last February.

Non-compostable disposable cups food containers are classed as packaging for the purposes of the EU Packaging Directive. This Directive prohibits Member States from impeding the placing on the market of any packaging (including that which cannot be recycled here) which satisfies the provisions of the Directive. Notwithstanding this, in my letter to EU Commissioner Vella, in the context of the EU plastic strategy, I urged the EU to take collective action and to consider the banning of single use plastics, such as coffee cups and cutlery.

Meetings have taken place with stakeholders including IBEC and packaging producers to discuss the Strategy and other issues in relation to plastic packaging.