Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Development a new National Invasive Species Management Plan; if any legislation is forthcoming on invasives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 which 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 already underway on the drafting of this plan. To assist with this work, a steering committee of stakeholders and national experts has been convened. The first meeting of the Committee took place on 8 March 2023. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is leading on this work and will report to me with updates on progress in this matter.

New legislation dealing with invasive alien species is at an advanced stage and is currently being finalised in my Department. This legislation will strengthen the legislative framework dealing with invasive alien species, particularly with regard to those listed species identified as being in trade. It will also give effect to aspects of the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) requiring Member State action.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ban the sale of rhododendron ponticum due to the environmental and economic cost of its spread as an invasive species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14213/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Regulation 49(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI 477/2011) makes it an offence to disperse, allow or cause to disperse, spread or otherwise cause to grow any plant, including Rhododendron ponticum, listed in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to those Regulations.

I am aware of occasional reports of the presence of invasive alien species in retail outlets and garden centres. While there are several different varieties of Rhododendron generally available for sale, only Rhododendron ponticum is invasive in Ireland.

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) does not monitor trade in garden centres. However, the NPWS does undertake awareness raising around invasive alien species to help the public and business owners understand the threats posed to our native biodiversity. Furthermore, where the NPWS is made aware of trade of invasive alien species, immediate action is taken to minimise any potential harm of such trade.

New legislation dealing with invasive alien species is at an advanced stage. This legislation will strengthen the legislative framework dealing with invasive alien species, particularly with regard to those listed species identified as being in trade.

Finally, in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to develop and implement a National Management Plan for Invasive Alien Species. Work is currently underway on the Plan. The Plan will incorporate measures to increase awareness of invasive alien species among the public and also to put a range of biosecurity measures in place to tackle the introduction and spread of such species.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the species introductions that have taken place over the past ten years; and the reintroductions that are currently being considered for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14214/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish White-tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Programme is a long-term initiative to re-establish a population of this once extinct species in Ireland. Phase 1 of this programme saw 100 young eagles released over five years (2007-2011) in Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department has been the lead organiser and manager of the White Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Phase 2 programme since 2020. In 2020, ten were released at two sites, Lough Derg and on the lower Shannon Estuary. The following year, twenty-one eagles were released and last year 16 young eagles were released at three sites across Munster, including a release by the Taoiseach in Tarbert, Co Kerry.

To date, over 40 chicks have fledged from nests in Kerry, Cork, Clare and Galway. In 2021 one nesting pair on Lough Derg produced three chicks – this is uncommon, even in the very extensive wild populations in Norway, and is an indication of the quality of the habitats and the potential for the species in Ireland.

The success of this programme has been bolstered by local landowners and farmers, without whose enthusiastic support in monitoring nest sites and care of birds the Project could not have succeeded.

The NPWS also plans to reintroduce Osprey this year and is collaborating with colleagues in Norway to supply a small number of chicks to be released in the South Eastern part of Ireland during the Summer months.