Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

And indeed in Kerry. I saw our good colleague, Councillor Michael Cahill, raise the issue yesterday. The Department and various local authorities are turning a blind eye to this. You cannot burn it. It can grow without light underground undermining the foundations of a house. I know of a house in Bantry where it has actually undermined a gable wall. The people did not know what it was for until they carried out an investigation. It is an issue that will jump up and bite us. It is spreading like wildfire in this country and is a very serious issue. I am not sure what the answers are but in London they brought in experts to see if they could stymie and curtail it. If you burn the weed itself, it will regrow. It does not need light and will grow underground. The roots can grow 30 ft. downwards and outwards. It is a very serious issue and I know that local authorities are concerned about the effect of this weed on motorways and roads. It is so important that we deserve a debate here for possibly an hour or two with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I am not attacking the Minister in any way but I am not sure if he is the answer. It is worthy of a debate and I am calling for this debate to be held as soon as possible.