Other News In Brief

FG Calls For Nationwide Ban To Reduce Plastic Waste

A Fine Gael TD has called for a nationwide ban on hotels, guesthouses and holiday rentals providing guests with toiletries in single-use plastic bottles.

Noel Rock, who serves in Dublin North West, is campaigning for the ban to help reduce plastic waste across the country.

He said: "I believe a ban on such products being stocked in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs will save thousands of pounds of plastic waste being generated annually.

"Much like the plastic bag levy this is an opportunity for Ireland to be a European leader in this area. With a booming tourism industry the savings in waste terms to be garnered here are immense," he added.

"The use of plastic bags in Ireland reduced by 90% after the levy was introduced, this is the type of radical change that Ireland needs to consistently pursue.

"Hotels have options when it comes to alternatives: they can use refillable dispensers or there are several innovative Irish companies producing zero waste products that could be swapped out for a sustainable approach that would also support local business.

"I accept that his change would need to be phased in so as not to cost businesses unnecessarily but I also strongly suspect that Irish customers will welcome this change with open arms.

"Hotels no longer provide ashtrays in hotel rooms due to a massive cultural shift in recent years – I believe single use plastics in rooms will be viewed as something just as redundant in the coming years and it is up to us as legislators to ensure this happens as quickly as possible."

Dublin Police Cars Get Makeover For Pride Parade

Garda has revealed a look at its newly designed cars that will be on show at Dublin's Pride Parade later this month.

The police service is taking part in the parade with vehicles featuring a rainbow design.

Dublin Pride Parade is taking place on Saturday 29 June.

SeaFest Summit Takes Place In Cork

International marine experts are descending upon Cork today as the county hosts the annual SeaFest and Our Ocean Wealth Summit.

The 2019 event 'shared voices from small island nations' is focusing on the importance of protecting the world's oceans from the impacts of climate change, for island nations in particular, to ensure a sustainable long term future for the marine economy as a whole.

It features former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, President of the Seychelles, H.E. Danny Faure, Foreign Minister of Malta, H.E. Carmelo Abela, and many more.

These experts join Trade Minister Simon Coveney TD and Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to help promote the voices of small island developing states.

Minister Coveney said: "As a small island, Ireland understand the threats climate change poses to our friends in the Pacific, Caribbean, Atlantic and Indian oceans. It threatens their very existence.

"The 2019 Our Ocean Wealth Summit is a unique gathering of the voices of small island developing states, gathering here in Cork in the understanding that global problems require global solutions. Ireland strongly believes that we can only address this challenge of a generation if we take strong climate justice approach. Emphasising the needs and realities of those who have the most to lose, yet have done least to contribute to the problem, will always be a centerpiece of our approach."

The updated marine economic statistics are set to be published today, 10 June, to coincide with the summit and are expected to indicate that Ireland's ocean economy has continued to grow significantly.

Minister Creed will also announce the publication of the annual Progress Report on Ireland's Integrated Marine Plan - Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, for 2018, at the summit. This report which contains inputs from across State departments and agencies, provides a wealth of information, spanning governance, research, education, international cooperation, business development, sustainability and protection and conservation of marine ecosystems.

The annual 'Our Ocean Wealth Summit' forms a key part of the government's integrated plan for Ireland's marine sector and brings together national and international expert speakers, industry leaders, business development agencies and the Irish business and marine research community.

(CM/JG)