Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 137 together.I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 137 together.

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) launched in September 2020 sets out the steps that will be taken in Ireland to reduce waste from packaging and single-use plastic items over the 5-year term of the plan. These steps include:

-  Ireland transposed the SUP (Single Use Plastic) Directive last year. It banned a range of single-use items from July 2021. Further measures will be introduced in the coming years under the SUP, which will significantly reduce the amount of SUP items being placed on the market.

-  A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans will be introduced later this year.

-  All packaging being placed on the market must, by 2030, be reusable or recyclable.

-  We will examine measures to support increased use of recycled materials in packaging, including the introduction of a virgin plastic levy.

- We will support an ambitious approach in discussions with European Commission- focussing on reducing over- packaging and packaging waste while driving design for reuse and recyclability of packaging.

While I welcome the recent initiative by the French Government, it should be noted that the ban does not necessarily mean that the volume of packaging waste in general will decrease, only that plastic packaging cannot be used for fruit and vegetables. Other non-plastic forms of packaging remain permitted. It should also be noted that as an island nation, the route to market for a significant amount of our food is different to that of France. Transportation distances, the need for longer shelf life, food safety and food waste all have to be considered. I am keen to monitor progress of the French initiative as part of working on an EU wide basis to reduce packaging waste. Ultimately, our focus should be on reducing the volume of all types of packaging.