Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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292. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the development of a new national invasive species management plan as outlined in the Programme for Government considering that an invasive species of alpine newt has been found in three counties in Ireland. [18401/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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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, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species. In addition to national legislation, EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species also provides for a range of concerted EU wide measures to be taken with respect to listed species of Union concern (the 'Union list').

The development of a national invasive alien species management plan is a priority in my Department and work is underway on establishing the scope and requirements of such a plan. The National Parks and Wildlife Service will report to me in the coming weeks with updates on progress in this matter.

The alpine newt is not listed as an invasive species in Ireland or on the Union list. However, sightings of this non-native species may be submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre through its online portal or mobile application, through the following link:

invasives.ie/what-can-i-do/report-sightings/

I would also like to remind people not to release unwanted pets into the wild.