Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a national policy in relation to the treatment of Japanese knotweed; the steps being taken to control the spread of this plant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40440/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for the implementation 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 law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter for landowners. In this regard, my Department carries out considerable work on controlling invasive species in National Parks and Nature Reserves.  

There is significant work also being carried out at present by a range of agencies in this area, including a number of local authorities. In addition, the Management of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS), led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is a €5.5 million project aimed at managing invasive knotweed and other non-native invasive plant species, over the next 5 years, on the national road network and its interactions with regional roads. The project involves collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS). 

While my Department does not collect data from local authorities on the incidence of Japanese Knotweed in their areas, information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland, including Knotweed, is available on the invasive species section of the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) website at .

My Department has also worked closely over the years with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland Project. Information on general management approaches to invasive plant species is available from the Invasive Species Ireland website: .