There is a vote in the Dáil and the Minister, Deputy Harris, has to attend it.

Is everybody happy with 15 minutes?

As much as you like, Senator Mullen.

The Minister is happy with that.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “ “ISO standard life-cycle impact assessment” means the quantitative tool “Life Cycle Assessment” (LCA), as defined by the ISO14040 and ISO140444 published by the International Organisation for Standardisation;”. It is great to have the Minister of State here in the Seanad. We have a number of amendments and I have a few with Senator Dooley. Some of the later ones I would like to get into are a bit more meaty, so I will not propose…

Am I correct in saying amendment No. 7 is in the group as well?

I will speak to amendment No. 7. I had not realised it was included in the group. The amendment gives a European context. There is a very good article in The Irish Times today in which that context is outlined. Amendment No. 7 would ensure that, within the interpretation of what constitutes a single-use cup, items that contain 10% plastic content or less would be excluded from being subjected to a levy or a ban. This outlines a better possibility by looking to the international implementations of the single-use pla…

We are happy to withdraw the amendment.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “ “the Waste Management Directive” means Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste.”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 17, to delete lines 37 and 38, and in page 18, to delete lines 1 to 4 and substitute the following: “(3) Regulations may be made by the Minister under subsection (1) where he or she is satisfied that, having regard to the purpose for which, and circumstances in which, the single-use item or class of single-use item concerned is supplied, in respect of the single-use item or, as the case may be, the class or classes of single-use item, concerned: (a) a suitable re-usable alternative;…

I move amendment No. 37: In page 18, line 8, to delete “aim” and substitute “aims”.

I move amendment No. 38: In page 18, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(c) reducing material wastage,”.

I move amendment No. 39: In page 18, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(c) encouraging the use of single-use items made with materials which containing relatively lower levels of plastic, and”.

I move amendment No. 40: In page 18, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(c) improving environmental outcomes through compliance with, and implementation of, the waste hierarchy referred to at Article 4 of the Waste Management Directive,”.

I move amendment No. 42: In page 18, line 13, to delete “less than €0.20 or more than €1.00” and substitute “less than €0.01 or more than €1.00”.

I move amendment No. 43: In page 18, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(5) In making regulations under subsection (1) in relation to a single-use item, and in prescribing the amount of any levy under subsection (4) , the Minister shall ensure that any such regulations and any such levy are— (a) proportionate, having regard to: (i) the aims referred to in subsection (4) , (ii) the level of plastic used in the material contained in the single-use item or class of single-use item concerned, and (iii) …

I would like to speak to amendment No. 52, which I have tabled with Senator Dooley. We want to insert the word “recyclable” after the word “suitable”. I will give some background to the rationale for this proposal and explain why Senator Dooley and I want to pursue it. If a ban is applied to a single-use item by the Minister on the basis that a suitable reusable alternative is readily available, this amendment will ensure the reusable alternative is both recyclable and readily available. It will alleviate the risk …

Next Tuesday.

When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.