Written answers

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

International Agreements

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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462. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the global legally binding agreement on mercury achieved under the Irish EU Presidency; if the Treaty will require transposition into Irish law; by what method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36175/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The new global legally binding agreement on Mercury, known as ‘The Minamata Convention on Mercury’ will be opened for signature at a Diplomatic Conference to be held in Minamata and Kumamoto, Japan, 7-11 October 2013. Mercury is recognized as a chemical of global concern due to its long-range transport in the atmosphere, its persistence in the environment, its ability to bio-accumulate in ecosystems and its significant negative effects on human health and the environment. The Convention takes a comprehensive approach to the hazards posed by mercury, by seeking to reduce and control its use throughout its life-cycle across the globe.

In accordance with Article 31 of the Convention text, the Convention enters into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; this point is unlikely to be reached before 2017. The content of the Convention, much of which already exists in EU and Irish legislation, is in line with the overall EU position, as agreed by Council of the European Union in its Conclusions in 2008 and 2012.

In order to allow for early ratification of the Convention by the EU, the European Commission has begun internal preparations to identify if specific additional legislative measures are required. A European Commission study, including an opportunity for stakeholder input, is being undertaken in this regard. Any legislative proposals that may arise from this exercise will progress though the normal EU co-decision procedures. Decisions in relation to any additional national legislative measures that may be required to allow Ireland to ratify the Convention will arise at that point.

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