Vol. 431 No. 8
5 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has responsibility for control measures in respect of the spread of wild plants which pose a danger to human health; and, if so, the steps, if any, he proposes to take in respect of the spread of giant hogweed which was identified in the Green 2000 Report as a particular danger to children.
36 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he proposes to take to deal with the increase in the incidence of giant hogweed in Ireland in view of the danger it poses to human health, particularly children; and the parts of Ireland where the incidence of this is most severe.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 36 together.
As Minister for Health I am certainly concerned to ensure that matters adversely affecting public health are dealt with. I am advised that hogweed poses a certain threat to public safety and in particular to persons who frequent our rivers and streams. Also, I am advised, children find the weed, with its stiff hollow stem, attractive as a plaything; resulting in injury to the hand, eye and mouth.
Further studies are needed to determine the extent of its distribution. Accordingly, I have asked my colleagues, the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for the Marine, to consider the introduction of measures for monitoring and controlling the spread of hogweed.
Is the Minister aware that the fluid from this plant can permanently damage the skin of children? Will he accept that there should be control measures because this plant is spreading and it is a particular risk to children during the summer months when they are likely to be playing on river banks?
I am advised that the fluid from the stem of this plant has a toxic effect and it can be very damaging to children. I have asked my colleagues to take action to monitor it.
Is it not the case that the Minister's Department has been aware of this threat to public health for the last three or four years and nothing would have been done had I not tabled this question?
I would not consider this the primary responsibility of my Department. It obviously is a public health matter and I am glad the Deputy has brought it to my attention. I have asked my colleagues to take account of the point made, that the sap which exudes from the plant can permanently damage the skin of children. As a child I used it, so I know it is an attractive thing to play with as a blow pipe. It is a feature of rural life and one that should be taken into account. I hope in my sojourn in the Department of Health account will be taken of the Deputy's concern. I will ensure that my colleagues act accordingly.
Is the Minister aware that this is more than a rural phenomenon and that there are rivers and streams, in our towns and cities as well, in which this hogweed has appeared in fairly large quantities? In some areas local authorities are no longer treating the banks of the rivers and streams because they do not have the money to do so. Something urgent needs to be done to bring this weed under control.
The Deputy is correct, in that obviously the plant is very vigorous. It colonises areas and supplants existing indigenous species. It is not a plant that has any difficulty in establishing itself in an urban setting either. For that reason I have contacted my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment and the Marine. I can assure the House I will take the matter seriously. I am glad it has been brought to my attention.
Would the Minister agree there is a risk that nothing may be done about this because of a dispute between Departments as to who is responsible for taking action? Can the Minister establish whether this is a matter on which action should be taken either by the Department of Marine or by the Department of the Environment in view of the risk that, if that is not clarified the relevant file may go backwards and forwards between the Departments concerned while nothing at all is done?
I take an interest in it from the public health perspective. My Department will pursue it with the other two relevant Departments with responsibility in the environmental and marine areas. I hope there will be not just one file toing and froing but two individual files of action. I will be seeking to ascertain what action they propose to take and will keep the Deputy and the House informed accordingly.
Has the Minister any information available as to the number of reported cases of injuries suffered as a result of contact with hogweed in recent times?
No, I do not have that information.
Can the Minister indicate whether there are regulations governing landowners who allow this plant to spread? In County Wicklow we do have a major problem. I understand that our local authority approached the Department of the Environment seeking funding to carry out the necessary work. Will the Minister say whether there are controls already in place for the Department of Health to deal with private landowners on whose land this hogweed is growing?
I am not aware of any controls emanating from the Department of Health. I understand that the Central Fisheries Board, under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for the Marine, has a small monitoring programme for selective spraying of the weed. They report that the existing level of resources is insufficient to make a nationwide impact on it. It is something I have taken up with my colleague, the Minister for the Marine. It is also a matter in which the Minister for the Environment should be interested.
