Written answers
Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Invasive Species Policy
Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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761. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what agency of Government or his Department is responsible for the eradication of Japanese knotweed in particular around private property whereby persons living in adjoining private properties express concerns for the spread of the knotweed when it is allowed to expand and grow and not dealt with like local authorities do when it grows along public roads and local authority property; and if any prosecutions or actions have been taken with persons who have planted, dispersed or allowed or caused to disperse or grow Japanese knotweed. [16757/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of 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 the spreading of invasive species.
There is a legislative framework in place for dealing with invasive alien species, including Japanese Knotweed. Public bodies, Government Departments and State agencies throughout the country work within this framework, in the context of species listed both nationally and on the list of invasive alien species of European Union concern (the Union list), to manage, control and, where practicable, eradicate these species.
Under this legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species rests with the landowner. Much of the work in tackling Japanese Knotweed happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans.
My Department has forwarded 41 cases of alleged destruction of vegetation to the CSSO in 2022 and to date in 2023.
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