Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of use of single use plastics in public buildings; the likely environmental impact of a ban in public buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41208/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am working closely with the European Commission and other EU Ministers for the Environment to agree a Directive that will give Member States the powers to take measures to reduce the impact of single use plastics on the environment. As the Deputy will be aware, all Member States, including Ireland, are prohibited from immediately banning single use plastic packaging, in accordance with the EU Packaging Directive. The proposed Directive will contain monitoring requirements for Member States for a range of single use plastic items, including cutlery and cups. This will be the first time that such data will be collected and monitored in order to assess the impact of reducing the consumption of and banning certain plastic items. However, in the meantime, it is my intention, in advance of the changes envisaged under the Single Use Plastics Directive being finalised, to bring a proposal to Government to ensure that single use plastics will not be used in Government Departments.