Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
287. 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. [35953/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRestrictions made under the REACH Regulation are for the purpose of the protection of human health and the environment from exposure to harmful chemicals. Restrictions can range from outright bans to limits on specific uses. Restriction proposals are presented by the EU 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 (HSA), an agency under the aegis of my Department. Where the policy remit is not within my Department, as in the case of the proposed restriction of lead ammunition for mainly hunting or sports shooting, officials from the lead policy department for that REACH Committee agenda item assist based on their remit and expertise to formulate the Ireland position, as well as attend and vote on behalf of Ireland.
The proposal for a restriction on lead in ammunition is primarily intended to protect wild birds in the environment as well as hunters and their families from the toxic effects of lead pollution from spent ammunition. These matters are not within my Department’s remit. As such, my officials have reached out to relevant bodies, namely the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the National Parks and Wildlife Service; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Justice. It is the responsibility of these bodies to establish the Irish position on this matter.
While my Department has met with stakeholders, the Irish position for 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 the drafts of the proposed restriction were discussed at the 2025 February, April, June and December and 2026 February and April confidential REACH Committee meetings. The draft agenda, draft measures to be voted upon and a summary record of the REACH Committee meetings are available to the general public online at C34200 - Comitology Register.
Discussions on this matter are expected to continue at the June 2026 REACH Committee meeting and potentially for some time into the future until a draft proposal that is acceptable to the majority of EU Member States is arrived at. There has been no call for a Member State vote on the matter to date.
