745. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the independent scientific assessment commissioned by his Department in respect of the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021; the date it was completed and received; when it and any Departmental evaluation will be published; whether updated Attorney General advice has been sought or received following that assessment; and the current position on progressing the Bill through Dáil Éireann, the timeline for publication of the research. [45296/26]

The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, a Private Members Bill, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.

Following legal advice in relation to the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and in October 2023, a contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).

The research work concluded in December 2024, and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation, the research service provider was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator’s comments and these comments were received in September 2025. My Department is currently finalising the overall response to the report.

My Department has not requested advice from the Attorney General since the research report has been finalised.