John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a national ban on plastic straws on environmental grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53338/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I am working with the European Commission and other Member States on the development of a Directive to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The proposed Directive was published on 28 May 2018. This draft legislation proposes new EU-wide rules to target the 10 most prevalent single-use plastic products found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together account for 70% of all marine litter. The proposal includes a ban on certain Single Use Plastic products, including plastic straws.

Ireland has supported the ambition of this proposal throughout and negotiations are now at an advanced stage. Once this Directive is finalised, I will transpose it, with a view to banning plastic straws at the earliest possible date.