Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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712. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the introduction of a levy on the use of single use plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7219/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to tackling the problems associated with single use plastics and strongly supported the introduction at EU Level of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastic Directive. I am committed to transposing and implementing this Directive at the earliest possible date. This Directive gives me the power to ban certain single use items from being placed on the market, including polystyrene food and beverage containers, plastic cutlery and plates, straws and balloon sticks. I will also be introducing measures to significantly reduce our reliance on typical on-the-go items such as single use food and beverage containers. I am currently exploring what measures, including the possible introduction of levies, will best deliver on this ambition.

The Climate Action Plan committed to looking at a number of possible environmental levies, including a possible levy on single use plastics, as part of the review of the Environment Fund. In the context of proposed levies, my Department published a consultation paper in late 2019 which outlined proposals with regard to environmental levies. This is available on my Department's website at www.DCCAE.gov.ie. This consultation was designed to help inform the development of a new range of environmental levies on a phased basis over the period 2020-2025, aimed at encouraging positive environmental behavioural change and climate action. Work is currently on-going on the further development of the levies including having regard to the submissions received.