Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is significant merit in the suggestion the Senator makes in terms of public awareness. I recall several years ago that we had a significant problem with an invasive species, the Zebra mussel, which affected lakes and other bodies of freshwater throughout the country. A significant public awareness campaign was launched in respect of that issue and we have succeeded, to a certain extent, in addressing it. If a similar campaign were to be undertaken in respect of Chalara, it might have a similarly positive effect. Working in conjunction with our neighbours in the UK in order to carry out research around disease-resistant strains of ash is equally important. We must continue to focus on this research from which, it is hoped, a positive outcome will be forthcoming in the very near future.