Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to implement a ban of the sale of lagarosiphon major in commercial outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received evidence of pollution by weed in Lough Corrib by lagarosiphon major; the plans he has to stem the advance of this weed for 2008 and 2009; the surveys his Department has carried out in other lakes to assess the extent of this weed pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.

Lagarosiphon major, also known as the curly-leaved pondweed, is a native of southern Africa. It has been widely sold for many years as an oxygenating plant for garden ponds and aquaria. However, it is viewed as a major threat to Irish lakes and their associated wildlife since it became established in Lough Corrib in 2005. A Lagarosiphon Task Force has been established to address the spread of the pondweed in Lough Corrib and in any other areas where it is identified. The Task Force, which is chaired by Galway County Council, includes representatives of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Central Fisheries Board, the Western Regional Fisheries Board, the Office of Public Works together with Galway County Council. Last year my Department provided funding to the Central Fisheries Board to purchase a weed cutting boat to be dedicated exclusively to removing Lagarosiphon major in Lough Corrib. I understand that the boat recently began weed cutting operations. I have also provided additional funding of €200,000 this year to the Central Fisheries Board for work involving the removal and control of Lagarosiphon major in the lake.

In relation to adjoining lakes, the Central Fisheries Board have carried out surveys which have found no evidence of Lagarosiphon major in either Lough Mask or Lough Carra. I am aware that the Western Regional Fisheries Board recently appointed consultants to undertake a Biosecurity Plan for Lough Mask. The Plan will examine current biosecurity threats including invasive species and take into account the need to protect upstream lakes such as Lough Carra. Finally, my Department is examining the appropriate regulatory measures necessary to control the possession and dispersal of ecologically harmful and invasive species of plants (including Lagarosiphon major) in Ireland. I expect to address this issue in regulations to be made under the Wildlife Acts later this year.