Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am responsible for the enforcement of legislation, including the Wildlife Acts and the birds and natural habitats regulations of 2011, prohibiting the release or introduction of listed invasive species, or allowing them to spread. However, responsibility for the control of invasive species normally lies with the landowner. As Minister, I am not responsible for or resourced to control invasive species wherever they arise. In the case of the Asian clam in the River Shannon, it is clear that a collaborative approach involving the expertise of Inland Fisheries Ireland, the ESB and Waterways Ireland, in addition to my Department, is appropriate. That is what is happening, and Inland Fisheries Ireland is at the helm. I must stress that expert scientific advice indicates that the extermination of the clam at this stage may be virtually impossible. There is not a simple solution to this, unfortunately. It is not a problem unique to Ireland. It features across many countries where people are travelling. Species are entering unbeknown to people. In certain environments, species can become invasive because of how they breed. That is the case with the clams in the River Shannon.

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