Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Upton is correct. There are three reasons for dealing with noxious weeds. First, we have designated ragwort as a noxious weed because it is poisonous to animals when grazed or consumed in hay or silage; second, other noxious weeds, such as thistle and dock in grassland and wild oat in cereals, affect crop growth and consequently crop yield; third, if noxious weeds are not controlled their seeds spread to adjoining lands and cause further infestation and annoyance to neighbours. This is why farmers must work together with the National Roads Authority and with local authorities to deal with the problem on both sides of the fence.

The National Roads Authority and not the Department has commissioned a consultancy service. The consultants will advise local authorities on appropriate procedures. It is the job of local authorities to maintain margins on national roads. It is hoped the consultancy service will suggest specifications and methods for treating such species, taking the caterpillar into consideration. These specifications will be developed and issued to local authorities by the National Roads Authority and will form the basis of the treatment of noxious weeds on the national roads network.

This is a big issue for farmers. They are very concerned about it and, because of modern farming requirements, they are addressing the issue directly. I would welcome anything local authorities can do to assist in this matter. We do not want ragwort spread more widely than at present.

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