Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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408. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the European Union Commission Regulation amending Annex 17 to EC Regulation No. 1907/2006 to ban the use of lead gunshot over and within 100 m of Ramsar defined wetlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20826/20]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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409. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the persons or body that will fulfil the duty of enforcement officers as per the European Union Commission Regulation amending Annex 17 to EC Regulation No 1907/2006 to ban the use lead gunshot over and within 100 m of Ramsar defined wetlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20827/20]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.

I refer the Deputy to the recent Topical Issues debate on this matter.

The position is unchanged in the matter of days since that issue was discussed in the House.

The Deputy will recall that 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." This is because there is slow accumulation of lead from shot in wetlands where hunting occurs. The lead is generally harmful in the environment and can also be consumed by wildfowl.

Since the Agreement was signed, the European Commission has published a draft Regulation for consideration by Member States on the use of lead shot in and around 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.

My Department is aware that any change to the regulations around the use of lead in gunshot could provide a range of difficulties to transition to new guns/gunshot for many gun owners in Ireland, including farmers and hunters, as many gun owners could have to make alternative arrangements, in many cases to purchase new guns.

My Department and the other relevant Government Departments, are fully committed to ensuring that this matter is addressed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including farmer and hunters, and that all potential impacts are fully considered. This process of consultation is continuing. All proposals will be comprehensively evaluated, including an extended lead-in time.

My Department supports the underlying thrust of the Regulations and is committed to phasing out lead shot in and around wetlands, However, it clear that Ireland will have transitional challenges with regard to the suggested short lead-in time. My Department has submitted a document which has been circulated to the REACH Committee of the European Union, the forum where the Regulation is under discussion, suggesting an extended lead-in time to enable hunters and farmers and other stakeholders in the country to make the necessary arrangements.