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

In general, the landowner is responsible for control. As with the Noxious Weeds Act, the legislation in question is complex to enforce in practice. In this case, it requires a multi-agency response, and that is what is happening. We have to work together. The problem is serious and I accept that. Some work has been done on it. Following the initial identification of the Asian clam in the hot water stretch and cut areas of Lough Ree at Lanesborough, early action was taken from a fisheries perspective by Inland Fisheries Ireland to close the fishery and erect public warning signs to reduce the threat of further spread. A detailed survey was carried out in the Lanesborough area at the top of Lough Ree involving the deployment of significant resources by Inland Fisheries Ireland. The survey results were scientifically analysed by senior scientific staff of Inland Fisheries Ireland. A trial dredge of material was completed by Waterways Ireland with assistance from Inland Fisheries Ireland. Some 2.5 tonnes of material was removed from the trial site, and this material was bagged and moved to the Inland Fisheries Ireland store in Roscommon for disposal.

We need to work together to find a solution. There are a number of agencies but none is specifically tasked with the control of invasive species. There is no dedicated funding stream, although some very good work has been done. Control measures are local in scale and, by definition, reactive. In this case, as stated, the response has to be a multi-agency one.

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