Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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413. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her Department's approach to the issue of Japanese knotweed; the steps that can be taken by her Department to eradicate it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23891/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that there is a growing public awareness and concern about the impact of invasive species here, including Japanese Knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that 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.

In general, control of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed is a matter for landowners. My Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in National Parks and Nature Reserves - for example, work undertaken over many years to deal with the rhododendron threat in Killarney National Park. My Department does not, however, have the resources required to extend such work into the wider countryside or urban areas and is not in a position to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies.