Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will issue immediate instructions to the wildlife section of his Department to ensure that roadside verges are automatically trimmed as required, either by the local authority or by the landowners, without having to wait approval from the local area engineer, having particular regard to combatting the spread of hogweed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of any vegetation growing on land not then cultivated is generally prohibited during the period from 1 March to 31 August each year by the provisions of Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

However, subsection 2 of Section 40 of the Act, as amended, provides specified exemptions from this restriction, including the cutting of vegetation in the course of any works being duly carried out for reasons of public health or safety by a Minister of the Government or a body established or regulated under statute. This permits, for example, the clearing by a local authority during the period referred to above of vegetation that presents a hazard to road traffic or pedestrians or the destruction of any noxious weed.

Since the native hogweed, Heracleum sphondylium, is abundant and widespread in Ireland, I assume that the Deputy is referring to the giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, an alien species that can cause severe irritation of the skin on contact. Subsection 2 of Section 40 provides adequate powers to enable the local authorities to control giant hogweed on roadside verges where it presents a hazard to public health and safety.