Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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683. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding EU laws banning lead used in shotgun and rifle cartridges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25419/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species.   Ireland signed up to the Agreement in 2003.   The agreement includes a commitment that “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands as soon as possible in accordance with self-imposed and published timetables."  My Department’s position is to support the AEWA commitment to phase out the use of lead shot over wetlands.  

The European Commission have published an initial draft Regulation for consideration by Member States on the use of lead shot in wetlands following a report on the matter by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).   It is my understanding that the proposal, should it ultimately progress into law, would  make provision for a lead-in time to facilitate the making of arrangements to source alternatives to lead shot.