The Government is being urged to move quickly with legislation to ban the use of micro-beads and other micro-plastics used in cosmetic and personal products.

Labour TD Seán Sherlock made the call after new research by NUIG revealed the damage caused by microplastics to fish in the Atlantic, with 73% of deep water fish surveyed ingesting plastic particles.

He said: "It is particularly concerning that remote, deepwater fish, found thousands of kilometres from our shores and some 600 metres underwater, are being impacted and at this rate, it is only a matter of time before these harmful products eventually enter the human foodchain.

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"We cannot afford to wait that long and allow further damage to be caused to our marine life.

"The use of microbeads in cosmetic and personal products is entirely unnecessary and any superficial benefits are completely outweighed by the harmful consequences for our marine life.

"If passed, the Labour Party's Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016 would make it an offence to manufacture, sell or advertise any products that use microbeads and other micro-plastics."

(CD/LM)