Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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963. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is proposed to bring a joint proposal to Government along with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to the issue of funding and remit for the elimination of aquatic invasive species, particularly, Lagarosiphon Major on Lough Corrib; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25038/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland have been working intensively for some years on the control of Lagarosiphon majorin Lough Corrib with funding and other supports from the EU LIFE fund, my Department, the OPW and Galway County Council.

Like most invasive species, especially aquatic species, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate Lagarosiphoncompletely, and continuing effective control is likely to be necessary.

EU Regulation No 1143/2014, on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, adopted in January 2015, makes it illegal to move or release Lagarosiphon into the environment, or to offer it for sale, and this will assist in limiting its spread between water bodies.

Officials in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and my own Department continue to work together on proposals to address the issue.