Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details of tests carried out by her Department's laboratory in relation to fireblight in the trees in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32084/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated to the Deputy in previous replies Fireblight test results show there is a problem primarily on roadside plantings of Sorbus sp in the Fingal area running from Donaghmeade, Baldoyle, Killbarack, Bayside, Sutton, Portmarknock, Howth, Malahide and Swords. Extensive infection has been found in Bayside Boulavard which is adjoined directly by Sutton Downes and Sutton Grove and it has also been found on Verbena Ave which adjoins Alden Park.

In an effort to prevent further spread of the disease, host material has been removed and in particular those related roadside Sorbus trees that were planted by the authorities.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will provide this Deputy with a full detailed report covering the history of the fireblight disease here, cases over the past five years, her Department's and local authority policy in relation to replanting semi mature trees and felling trees and specifically cover the recent outbreak in Dublin; the reason the disease only hit parts of Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32086/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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On the basis of annual surveys the disease is said not to be established in the Country and Ireland has a protected zone for the disease. Fireblight was first found in Ireland in 1986 on a Cotoneaster sp. in Clanbrassil St, Dublin 6, and sampling of suspect material by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has continued each year since then.

As I indicated to the deputy in PQ Ref No: 21077/07, in latter years there are at least 1,500 samples submitted for laboratory testing and upwards of a dozen positive findings principally in Dublin and Cork Suburbs, along with a number of findings on nursery stock are detected each year.

More specifically in 2003, in excess of 1900 samples were taken from host plants in nurseries, garden centres, public parks, private gardens, roadside hedges etc, and 8 positives were found in Cork, 6 in Dublin (Dublin 7, 9 and 12), 1 in Laois, 3 in Tipperary and 1 in Wicklow.

Over 2000 samples were taken during the 2004 survey with 13 positives at 11 sites, 1 nursery site in Clare, 6 sites in Cork, 1 in Kerry, 1 in Wexford and 2 in Wicklow.

Of the 1555 samples tested in 2005, there were 25 positives at 15 locations throughout the country, namely Cork with 3 public areas and 2 private gardens, Dublin in 3 public areas, Galway in a public area and in a nursery in Kildare, 2 nurseries in Tipperary, 1 nursery in Waterford and Wexford and a public park in Wicklow.

In 2006 there were over 1600 samples taken which lead to 19 positives findings at 15 locations, 7 sites in Cork, 1 in Galway, 1 in Kildare, 1 in Kilkenny, 1 in Limerick, 2 in Monaghan, 2 in Tipperary and 1 in Waterford.

The 2007 Survey to date has taken over 2000 samples with 45 positive findings, Laois at 1 site, Cork at 2 sites, Dublin at 15 sites (more specifically Markievicz park, Merrion sq., Donaghmeade, Baldoyle, Killbarrack, Sutton, Bayside, Portmarnock, Malahide, Howth and Swords results (these Dublin results have been previously forwarded to the Deputy), Galway at 1 site, Wicklow at 2 sites, Cork at 3 sites, Donegal at 1 site.

In the case of all positive findings, the affected plant and associated host material is removed and destroyed in an effort to remove inoculum and prevent further spread of the pathogen as required by EU and domestic legislation for harmful organisms including Fireblight.

As can be seen from the results over the past 5 years, the disease has not only been found in Dublin 13, but with positives now been recorded in South Dublin, the Fingal area and also plantings in residential areas of Cork, Galway and Wicklow.

The policy re replanting of semi mature trees is a matter for the Local Authority where the outbreak occurs and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has no responsibility in the matter.