Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if measures will be implemented across Departments and statutory agencies in co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland to deal with an emerging ecological problem (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47561/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect to listed species of Union concern (the 'Union list').
Public bodies, departments and agencies throughout the country work within this framework, in the context of species listed both nationally and on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern to manage, control and, where practicable, eradicate these species. Nuttall’s waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) is listed on both the national and Union lists.
Under Article 13(1) of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species, Member States are required to carry out comprehensive analysis of the pathways of unintentional introduction and spread of invasive alien species and identify the pathways which require priority action. For the priority pathways, Pathway Action Plans are developed.
The purpose of Pathway Action Plans is to prevent or minimize the risk posed by the pathways using measures such as raising public awareness and setting out actions to prevent unintentional introductions by minimizing the contamination of goods, commodities, vehicles, and equipment by invasive alien species, and ensuring appropriate border checks.
Three action plans are a priority for development in Ireland for the following pathways:
- Angling (Finalized April 2022)
- Recreational boating and watercraft (Finalized May 2022)
- Movement of soil and spoil (in Draft)
Both the Angling and Recreational boating and watercraft plans list Nuttall's Waterweed as a priority concern species. The Loughs Agency, a cross-border body, was a member of the Working Groups for both published plans. Implementation of the Plans, led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is underway.
The Plans can be accessed at the following link: invasives.ie/biosecurity/pathway-action-plans/
