Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
300. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether Ireland has adopted a position on the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition; whether Ireland will support, oppose or seek amendments to the proposal at the next REACH Committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48789/26]
View answer301. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the Minister with responsibility for determining Ireland's voting position on the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition and the instructions that have been issued to Ireland's representative on the REACH Committee. [48790/26]
View answer302. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will publish the latest draft text of the proposed REACH restriction on lead ammunition; if he will publish Ireland's proposed voting position and any amendments Ireland intends to support or propose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 301 and 302 together.
The restriction on lead ammunition proposed by the European Commission is being progressed at EU level under the Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), which aims to protect human health and the environment from risks associated with hazardous chemicals. The EU proposal is based on scientific opinions prepared by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
While responsibility for the policy areas affected by this EU proposal rests with a number of Government Departments and agencies, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment administratively coordinates Ireland's position and representation at meetings of the REACH Committee. These matters are not within the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. It is in that context that I am responding to this Question.
The draft texts were considered through the REACH Committee process. REACH Committee documents are circulated by the European Commission and meetings are conducted on a confidential basis. Documentation relating to the Committee's work is published by the Commission in accordance with the applicable EU procedures, including through the Comitology Register.
Ireland's position was developed through engagement with the relevant Government Departments and agencies with responsibility for environmental protection, wildlife, hunting and firearms policy.
The EU Commission called a vote on this file on 25th June 2026, which was passed by Member States.
The agreed draft must now undergo scrutiny by the European Parliament and Council before being adopted. Due to the European Parliament’s recess, the European Commission will send the voting result to the Comitology Register after 9 July, which will then launch the scrutiny. At that point, the numbers of votes in favour, abstentions and votes against will be published by the European Commission. In line with the procedures of the REACH Committee, individual voting positions of Member States are not published.
The Government will continue to engage constructively in the EU decision-making process and will consider the environmental, public health, regulatory and practical implications of this EU proposal for Ireland.
