Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action being taken to curb the growth of gunnera tinctoria in parts of County Mayo (details supplied). [28433/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Gunnera tinctoria is a large herbaceous plant that forms dense colonies that shade out and suppress native vegetation. This species is a vigorous seeder and also has the ability to spread vegetatively. Intense effort is required to control this species. In 2006, a two year M.Sc. project was initiated to investigate measures for the control of Gunnera on Achill Island. The project is funded by Mayo County Council, and by my Department through the Biodiversity Fund which is administered by the Heritage Council.

Under Section 52(6)(a) of the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended), my Department has the power to make regulations prohibiting the possession or introduction of any species of wild flora which may be detrimental to native species. It is my intention to make regulations under this section in the first quarter of 2008, and to provide for a short lead-in time, after which possession or introduction of Gunnera will be prohibited. Whilst I recognise that the plant is already in the wild, my purpose is to prevent its further dispersal through garden centres for use around ponds and wet areas, from which it may escape or be released into the wild.