Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that large areas of the Phoenix Park, Dublin, are infested with ragwort; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy this situation to avoid an offence under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936. [34025/11]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The occurrence of Ragwort is an issue countrywide. The Phoenix Park at over 1700 acres can never be kept completely free of this plant which is endemic to all parts of Ireland and no comparable area is ragwort free. However, the Phoenix Park has an active programme of treatment in place for a number of years which involves the physical removal of ragwort by hand, the application of an organic herbicide and trials have recently been conducted in the Park with a new product to the market which is showing promising results.