The 'latte levy' will be added to the price of a takeaway coffee this summer

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The long-awaited 'latte levy' will be added to the price of a takeaway coffee this summer.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth made the announcement as Cabinet approved its climate action mandate for the public sector.

Under the plans, disposable cups, plates or cutlery won't be permitted in any public sector canteen or closed facility.

Minister Smyth says it paves the way for the introduction of a levy on all takeaway coffee cups:

"The disposable cup levy is coming in this summer. There's a three month transition period for everyone to get used to it and to get the message out to the public and the cafes and so on.

And I think today's announcement is beyond that, saying you're just not allowed to use disposable cups in the public sector anymore."