Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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516. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the Office of Public Works’s policy on herbicide use. [24485/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The European Parliament and Council created the Sustainable Use of Pesticide Directive (Plant Protection Products) which requires each member state to develop and implement a National Action Plan set objectives and targets to reduce the risks of pesticides to human health and the environment as well as promoting integrated pest management to include non-chemical alternatives.

These objectives have been incorporated into the OPW policy on pesticides which ensures compliance with legislative requirements. See attached Policy.

Since the 26th November 2015, only a Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) registered professional user can apply Plant Protection Products that are authorised for professional use. There are specific training requirements for staff members who professionally use pesticides & herbicides. These requirements for professional users (PUs) of PPPs are designed to ensure that those individuals who are certified as having complied with the prescribed standard, are sufficiently skilled to ensure that the application of PPPs is done in a manner that will minimise the risks and impacts associated with the use of chemicals on human health and the environment.

Staff training and regular risk assessments are carried out to evaluate the safety and necessity of using such products in areas accessible to the public. These assessments guide decisions to ensure our methods are effective while minimising any potential harm. We continually seek alternative methods that comply with best practice.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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517. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether glyphosate-based herbicides are used by the Office of Public Works. [24486/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The herbicides used by the OPW are authorised Plant Protection Products (PPP) registered for use on the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine’s database. Only products that presents the least risk to health and the environment while achieving effective weed control are considered. Glyphosate based herbicides are used on occasion when no suitable alternative is available.

The European Parliament and Council created the Sustainable Use of Pesticide Directive which requires each member state to develop and implement a National Action Plan set objectives and targets to reduce the risks of pesticides to human health and the environment as well as promoting integrated pest management to include non-chemical alternatives. OPW has such a policy.

Since November 2015, only a Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) registered professional user can apply Plant Protection Products that are authorised for professional use. There are specific training requirements for staff members who professionally use pesticides & herbicides. These requirements for professional users (PUs) of PPPs are designed to ensure that those individuals who are certified as having complied with the prescribed standard, are sufficiently skilled to ensure that the application of PPPs is done in a manner that will minimise the risks and impacts associated with the use of chemicals on human health and the environment.

Staff training and regular risk assessments are carried out to evaluate the safety and necessity of using such products. These assessments guide decisions to ensure our methods are effective while minimising any potential harm. We continually seek alternative methods that comply with best practice.

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide used in flood risk management & heritage Services for the treatment of invasive plant species. Glyphosate is not used by the OPW flood risk management for the control of weeds outside of those listed in the Third Schedule of Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011) – namely Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed. In addition, a soluble concentrate product containing glyphosate is used on a limited basis, once a month in the grounds of OPW's Headquarters in Trim.

It is an obligation of the OPW to ensure that any activities undertaken by OPW will prevent, minimise and mitigate the spread of invasive alien plant species as a result of OPW activities.

As part of Drainage maintenance activities OPW carry out controlled spraying of invasive species with glyphosate in order to avoid the spread of species such as Japanese knotweed and Giant Hogweed in areas where works are necessary.

In addition OPW have a number of contracts in place with invasive species treatment specialists who use glyphosate as part of their treatment programme.

As part of planning for flood relief schemes, the OPW manage contracts for planning and treatment of invasive species (including with glyphosate) prior to construction on OPW managed schemes. All Schemes managed by Local Authorities will have an invasive treatment programme managed by the Local Authority.

All flood schemes, at planning stage, require the production of an Invasive Species Management Plan which will make recommendations for the best methods of invasive species management. As part of this management plan the use of glyphosate may be recommended. The recommended use of glyphosate is carried out in such a manner to ensure the most effective treatment plans are in place. Following on from the recommendations of the Invasive Species Management Plan the OPW/Local Authority will put in place a treatment plan for invasives within the footprint of the scheme, with the aim to minimise the impact of invasive species spread during construction phase. Only reputable contractors are used by the OPW in the planning and management of Invasive Plant Species.

At construction stage it is an obligation of the contractor to ensure the management of invasive species, this may include the use of glyphosate on site. All treatment plans are carried out in agreement with OPW/Local Authority.