Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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390. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a comprehensive review of the national list of invasive alien species is needed before adding a single species, such as Cherry Laurel, given that it has been identified as high-impact by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Coillte, and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50323/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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391. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to explain the process by which species are added to the national list under the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50324/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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392. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Part 3 (12) of the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, which allows the Minister to impose immediate restrictions on invasive alien species not on the EU list if preliminary scientific evidence suggests the species is present or at imminent risk of entering the State, and is likely to meet the criteria for concern, will be invoked to restrict the sale, distribution and planting of Cherry Laurel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50325/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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393. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the grounds on which Cherry Laurel has not yet been listed as an invasive alien species of national concern, despite repeated recommendations from Ireland's leading environmental and biodiversity bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50326/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 to 393, inclusive, together.

I refer to my replies to Question No. 264 of 18 September and Question No. 1216 of 8 September 2025 which set out the position in this matter.