Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, I met representatives of the NARGC. It was after the vote on 3 September. I had a constructive meeting with them. There were difficulties but it was constructive. I recognise the conservation efforts and work that council members do around the country, including on grey partridge and other projects. They do fantastic work in that regard.

As a general principle, I am fully supportive of the proposals that led to the ban on the use of lead shot in and around wetlands, given the threats posed by lead in the environment. At the same time, I fully appreciate that there will be challenges for hunters and other gun users to overcome to meet the requirements of this draft regulation should it eventually be passed by the European Parliament. My Department has liaised directly with farming and hunting stakeholders over the past year or so and we are aware of the challenges involved. There will be challenges for Government in this as well. For example, the Commission's proposal for buffer zones of 100 m around wetlands is an added difficulty when trying to enforce any new restrictions.

In following up on a commitment that I gave to Deputies when we discussed the matter in July, I met members of NARGC which represents the interests of the hunters, and we had a useful and frank discussion on the issue. I will meet the Irish Farmers' Association separately, specifically about this.

My Department has argued at the REACH committee for a transition period of more than the two years proposed by the Commission, especially for member states that do not currently have any restrictions. My Department submitted written documentation to the REACH committee in that regard. As I indicated earlier, notwithstanding our reservations on the transition arrangement in the draft regulation, the Commission put the proposal to a vote without a revised transition period. Since we are committed to phasing out the use of lead shot in and around wetlands, which I strongly believe is the correct approach, Ireland voted in support of the draft regulation, which was passed by the necessary majority of member states, and would have been the case anyway. We were aware that the proposal would have been carried irrespective of how Ireland voted, given the level of support. In the circumstances, I believe Ireland took the correct decision to vote in favour to signal our support for protection of the environment and of health, not just for wild birds but for humans too.

I outlined my commitment to the Deputy again and I will continue to hold consultations with the relevant stakeholders to try to address those concerns. They are valid concerns and I want to try to address them in collaboration with the various stakeholders.

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