Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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264. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1239 of 8 September 2025, the reason a comprehensive review of the entire List of National Concern under the 2024 invasive alien species is required when the purpose of the new list is to give EU Member States the discretion to add species where scientific evidence demands it; the exact process that governs the addition of species to the national list under the 2024 regulations; if regulation 12 will be invoked to restrict the sale, distribution, and planting of cherry laurel in the interim; the grounds on which the cherry laurel has not yet been listed despite repeated recommendations from Ireland’s leading environmental and biodiversity bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49541/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The process of adding any species to the list of invasive alien species of national concern requires a risk assessment of that species to be undertaken to ensure that the scientific evidence demands its inclusion. Once this is completed, a Statutory Instrument to amend the First Schedule to the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 and the Third Schedule to the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

This action would place the species on the list of invasive alien species of national concern and the provisions of Article 7 of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation would apply, making it an offence to place the species on the market.

Cherry Laurel is a large evergreen shrub which is native to south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia. The species was widely planted in woodlands and demesnes and has spread extensively. Recent ecological monitoring of Annex I woodland habitats in Ireland shows that Cherry Laurel is a very invasive shrub, particularly in our woodlands as it outcompetes native species and suppresses regeneration by forming tall, dense, dark thickets, which support little wildlife

I have recently instructed the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department to consider a suite of options for the control Cherry Laurel, including legislative solutions, informed by the appropriate risk assessment (a priori) . Cherry Laurel control will be an essential component of the National Restoration Plan, especially in relation to targets to be achieved under Article 12 of the nature restoration regulation.