Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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883. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics; the public bodies and agencies under her remit to which she has issued an instruction to cease the purchase and use of single-use plastics; when the instruction issued; the bodies which have confirmed that they no longer purchase and use single-use plastics, respectively; the bodies which have not provided such confirmation to date; when they will confirm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29981/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics in accordance with the Government Decision announced by Minister Bruton in January.

The introduction of these measures under the Government's plan for the reduction of single-use plastics, the prevention of waste and green public procurement was advised to those bodies and agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department during the week commencing 7th January.  In accordance with the plan they were required not to purchase single-use plastic beverage cups, cutlery or drinking straws after 31st March (except where public health or hygiene issues arise) and to report to me by the end of November on the measures they were taking to minimise waste generation and maximise recycling.

My Department will be in further liaison with those bodies under its remit in relation to progress achieved in advance of the end November reporting deadline on measures being taken to minimise waste generation and maximise recycling.  

The bodies and agencies under the remit of my Department are:

The Arts Council

The Chester Beatty Library

An Coimisinéir Teanga

The Crawford Art Gallery

An Foras Teanga

The Heritage Council

The Irish Film Board

The Irish Museum of Modern Art

The National Archives

The National Concert Hall

The National Gallery of Ireland

The National Library of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Waterways Ireland