Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister mentioned the last prosecution and said that 12 notices were issued in 2005. How many of those notices were issued to local authorities? When was the last occasion a local authority was prosecuted? The Minister of State might not have those figures to hand but perhaps he will forward them to us. While the enforcement takes place with regard to farmers, and there is a threat to the single farm payment, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the local authorities are not enforcing their part of the legislation. Are there any plans to enhance enforcement of this legislation now that additional staff are available in the Department?

There is an ongoing review with regard to coexistence with GM crops. As I travelled throughout the country in recent weeks I noticed a substantial amount of rapeseed growing on roadsides. If at some future date a GM rapeseed crop is introduced in this country, it will be critical to address the issue of wild rapeseed. It is important that such plants and crops are also considered in the context of the review of this legislation.

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