Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken to date to reduce the use of once-off plastics, particularly in packaging; the success of these steps to date; the further steps he intends taking in 2022 to eliminate all unnecessary and replaceable use of such materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1378/22]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy details the measures that will be adopted to achieve optimum results in the area of packaging and plastics. The over-riding objective is to ensure that all packaging placed on the Irish market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. Measures already actioned include:- The introduction of eco modulated fees which will result in a more favourable rate applying to recyclable plastic packaging over non-recyclable packaging placed on the market.- Transposition of the EU Directive (EU) 2019/904 which saw a ban on a range of single-use plastic items being placed on the Irish market from 3 July 2021.- An awareness campaign in September 2021 announcing that soft plastics can be disposed of in the domestic recycling bin - this was a significant step to increase recycling rates and help to reach future EU recycling targets.- The Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, providing the legal framework for the DRS scheme which will become operational across the country in Quarter 3 this year Other measures contained in the Plan which will be progressed this year include:- A revision to the Packaging Regulations in Q2 of this year which will enact the Programme for Government commitment to end self-compliance as an option for producers placing packaging on the market.- Ongoing engagement with the EU Commission on the review of the essential requirements contained in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Proposals are expected later this year to deal with issues such as compostable packaging, mandating recycled content in plastic packaging and extended reuse, and prevention measures. - Progressing the Circular Economy Bill, which will provide for the introduction of environmental levies, and subsequent bans, on single-use disposable items, such as hot and cold beverage cups, and food containers, where more sustainable alternatives are available and affordable.