Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of Japanese knotweed. It is an invasive plant. As a State, we need to bring together all our organisations to come up with a solution. As most Members are aware, Japanese knotweed has become very prevalent in recent years and local authorities are struggling to deal with it. It is an exceptionally invasive plant. At present, it comes within the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. We have to look at how to deal with it and we need to work with all Departments to come up with a national strategy to deal with it. To give an example, it cost £70 million to clear Japanese knotweed from the site where the Olympic village in London was located. The National Roads Authority, NRA, has put €5 million aside this year to deal with it. The NRA will clear motorways but the railway lines, the inland waterways or the minor roads will not be cleared. We need a comprehensive plan to sort out this issue. The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and the other Ministers should come up with a national plan to deal with this invasive plant.