Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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465. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects the Waste Reduction Bill 2017 will be enacted; his views on a campaign (details supplied); his views on the principles of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27845/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Waste Reduction Bill is a Private Members Bill sponsored by the Green Party.

The Ceann Comhairle has determined that this Bill could place a cost on the exchequer and as such, at this juncture the Bill can only progress in accordance with the procedures of the Oireachtas. The Ceann Comhairle may write to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform requesting a money message which informs both the Committee and the sponsors of the Bill as to the decision received.

As for the substance of the Bill, while I have made it clear that I support its principles, I cannot agree to the compulsory introduction of a national Deposit and Return Scheme. To agree to a mandatory scheme without proper analysis on the likely effect of increased costs for families and householders or evidence of its effectiveness in improving the recycling rates in this jurisdiction would be financially reckless.

However, the EU recently published its proposal to address the top ten single use plastic items that make up approximately 70% of beach litter. I will not delay in introducing the necessary measures in the proposal when the EU legislation is finalised.

I am aware of the campaign "Sick of Plastic" and congratulate the Friends of the Earth organisation for the high profile achieved for the discussion around plastic. Informed citizens are key to our shared objectives around tackling plastic waste. My focus now is to work with our EU colleagues to ensure that we can collectively deliver a Union-wide package of measures which citizens, business and governments can get behind.