John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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336. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he plans on including Cherry Laurel to the list of invasive alien species of national concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62695/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the reply to Question No. 1,126 of 4 November 2025 which sets out the position in this matter.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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337. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to give details of all enforcement actions that have been taken under Section 17(1) of the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 374/2024); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62696/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no enforcement actions taken to date by my Department under Section 17(1) of the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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338. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide details on plans to clear Cherry Laurel from the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62697/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department prioritises the ongoing management and eradication of invasive species as part of its conservation role, dedicating a significant level of its resources to these management activities each year.

Prior to 2025, the NPWS removed approximately 4 hectares of Cherry Laurel from the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve. Following on from those works, in 2025 the remaining infestation of Cherry Laurel located on the Eastern side of the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve, totalling an additional c. 1.5 ha in size, was treated.

As part of the works in 2025, the previously treated areas were also re-examined with a view to retreating as necessary in order to continue to control the infestation. The treatment was confirmed to have been very effective, resulting in very limited regrowth in those areas previously treated and thus required only limited retreatment.

In addition to these successes, a woodland management plan is currently in preparation for the Nature Reserve with the remaining Cherry Laurel on the Western side of the reserve being mapped and assessed. Following this, the Cherry Laurel there will likewise be treated on a phased basis annually over the coming years. As part of this ongoing management process and future planning, the NPWS also intends to liaise with adjoining landowners who may have Cherry Laurel on their lands in order to assist in addressing the risk of re-infestation of the Nature Reserve once the current infestation of Cherry Laurel is removed.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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339. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide details on costs of removing Cherry Laurel from the Glen of the Downs in County Wicklow for each year from 2000 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62698/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.