Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has written to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action, and Environment to express his concern at the high level of plastic pollution in lakes and rivers following representations from individuals and organisations.

He explained, “It is clear to anyone who walks by, sails on, or uses our rivers or lakes how badly plastic pollution has become. It is vital we all make changes to our relationship with plastics, particularly single use plastics.

“Climate action is needed more than ever. Over the last eight years Fine Gael have failed to address climate change from a policy perspective. The window to act on climate change is closing rapidly. Our younger generations are rightly demanding urgent coordinated action from the Government.

“I wrote to the Minister to raise my concern regarding the high level of unnecessary use of plastics and the deficiencies in how it is managed through the waste cycle.

“Fianna Fáil played an important role in the production of the report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action that will be the national blueprint to address the climate change crisis.

“More needs to be done by all Governments across Europe and worldwide. At home we must look after our own policies which should include a strengthening on management of plastics through the waste cycle.

“By taking these actions we will clean up the environment around us and protect the next generation,” he concluded.