Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is the intention of her Department to allocate finance and resources to the eradication of the problem of Asian clams on the River Shannon at Lanesborough and the surrounding area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32060/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to today’s Priority Question No 3. As I stated, my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. However, in general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners, and my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in National Parks and Nature Reserves.

My Department does not have the resources required to extend such work into the wider countryside, or to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies.

Control of aquatic species in rivers, lakes and canals is a complex and difficult issue, as many of the species concerned can be very difficult to detect until well established, and thereafter are persistent and may be impossible to eradicate.

I am aware the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland on the Asian Clam problem, as well as a wide range of useful work on invasive species, especially in controlling aquatic and waterside invasive plants. I am aware also of work carried out by bodies including County Councils, the National Roads Authority, Waterways Ireland and the Botanic Gardens. My Department will continue to work with these and other bodies.