Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

951. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In January 2021, the EU signed Regulation 2021/57 concerning the restriction of the use, or carrying, of lead in gunshot in and within 100 metres of a wetland in Member States as well as the carrying of such gunshot in certain circumstances. A two-year transition period has elapsed since 15 February 2023. This Regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

These new rules will help protect the health of our wetlands and safeguard birds from the risk of ingesting spent lead gunshot.

A stakeholder forum was established by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD in 2022 to discuss the implementation of the Commission Regulation. A number of farming, hunting and countryside organisations were represented on the independently chaired Forum.

For the purposes of these regulations the definition of ‘wetlands’ is that used in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). All such wetlands are subject to the Regulation. Following an analysis of data available on wetlands, an online map viewer of wetland habitats subject to the new restrictions on the use of lead gun shot in and around wetlands was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department on its website at the following link: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-regulation-restrictions-use-lead-gunshot-or-around-wetlands. The sites included on this map are Ireland's Ramsar sites and all Natural Heritage Areas, all Special Protection Areas, and Special Areas of Conservation with Qualifying Interests related to wetlands.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

952. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has made public the outcome of all consultations with stakeholders on the implementation of regulation 2021/57 regarding regulation of lead shot over wetlands. [39051/23]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

953. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to address its concerns over the process by which the mapping for protection of wetlands under regulation 2021/57 was decided. [39052/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 952 and 953 together.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/57 which was signed into law on 25 January 2021 and came into force on 15 February 2023 after the transition period of two years, provided for the restriction of the use, or carrying, of lead in gunshot in and around wetland areas in Member States.

These new rules will help protect the health of our wetlands and safeguard birds from the risk of ingesting spent lead gunshot.

A stakeholder forum was established by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD in 2022, to ensure that there was understanding across all stakeholders of the requirements of the Regulations. The independently Chaired Forum included representatives from hunting and countryside organisations including the organisation referred. The final Chairs report from the Stakeholder Forum has been circulated to its members and has not been published at this time.

For the purposes of these regulations the definition of ‘wetlands’ is that used in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). All such wetlands are subject to the Regulation. Following an analysis of data available on wetlands, an online map viewer of wetland habitats subject to the new restrictions on the use of lead gun shot in and around wetlands was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department on its website at the following link: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-regulation-restrictions-use-lead-gunshot-or-around-wetlands. The sites included on this map are Ireland's Ramsar sites and all Natural Heritage Areas, all Special Protection Areas, and Special Areas of Conservation with Qualifying Interests related to wetlands.

I welcome on-going engagement between NPWS and the stakeholder organisations on matters relating to nature conservation.