Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
179. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will outline Ireland's position at recent meetings of the EU REACH Committee regarding restrictions on use of lead ammunition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44960/26]
View answerRestrictions made under the REACH Regulation are designed for the protection of human health and the environment from exposure to harmful chemicals. These restrictions can range from outright bans to limitations on specific uses. Restriction proposals are presented by the European Commission based on scientific opinions prepared by the European Chemicals Agency.
Ireland is represented at the REACH Committee meetings for matters within the remit of my Department by the Health and Safety Authority, an agency under the aegis of my Department. Where a matter falls outside my Department’s policy responsibility, the lead Department assists in formulating Ireland’s position and attends the relevant REACH Committee discussions. In such cases, it also votes on Ireland’s behalf.
The proposed restriction on lead ammunition, which mainly affects hunting and sport shooting, falls outside my Department’s remit. The proposal is intended primarily to reduce lead pollution from spent ammunition and to protect wild birds, hunters and their families from the harmful effects of lead exposure.
Accordingly, my Department has engaged with the relevant bodies responsible for these policy areas, including:
* The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment;
* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
* The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
* The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS);
* The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and
* The Department of Justice.
These bodies are responsible for establishing Ireland’s position on the proposal.
While my Department has met with stakeholders, the Irish position on this proposal can only be informed by the bodies with responsibility for hunting, firearms and the protection of wildlife. It would also be the responsibility of these bodies to carry out consultations and stakeholder engagement to assess the potential impact of the proposal on Ireland.
Officials in my Department continue to circulate to relevant Departments and agencies material received for REACH Committee meetings where the agenda includes the draft restriction on lead in ammunition.
To date, draft versions of the proposed restriction have been discussed at the confidential REACH Committee meetings held in February, April, June and December 2025, and in February and April 2026. The draft agendas, draft measures and summary records of REACH Committee meetings are publicly available through the Comitology Register.
Discussions are expected to continue at the June 2026 REACH Committee meeting and may continue beyond that until a proposal capable of securing support from a majority of EU Member States is agreed. No Member State vote was called on the proposal at REACH Committee meetings held to date.
