1576. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on action in relation rhododendron and cherry laurel in County Wicklow; if there is a broader consultation and action underway across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58912/26]

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the legislative framework around invasive alien species in Ireland, including the 2024 European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations (SI 374/2024) which give effect to the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) in the national context.

Management and control of invasive alien species is a matter for landowners. The NPWS carries out invasive alien species control on the lands it owns in County Wicklow. In addition to routine site maintenance, in recent years the NPWS has focussed on reducing the presence and regrowth of invasive plants around Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve and Wicklow Mountains National Park. Unlike other areas of the country where the main issues include Japanese Knotweed and Rhododendron Ponticum, the main plants focussed on in Wicklow have been Cherry Laurel and trees such as Sitka Spruce. When dealing with invasive alien species, the priority is to protect native habitats such as heathlands, blanket bogs, rivers and native woodlands from non-native plants that can outcompete indigenous species and damage ecosystem health, as well as to ensure the safety of the public.

While my Department carries out considerable work on controls in National Parks and Nature Reserves, it does not have the resources or the powers required to extend such work into urban areas or the wider countryside. Much of the work in tackling invasive alien species happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund, operated by the NPWS, supports a diverse range of local authority-led projects, and many of these projects deal with invasive alien species control.

The control of Rhododendron ponticum is difficult, costly, and labour intensive, but is seen as a vital priority for restoring and rehabilitating habitats and ecosystems. The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works across a number of its own sites to manage the spread and this includes monitoring, surveillance, clearance, investigation and reviews.

The NPWS will consider options for the control Cherry Laurel, including legislative solutions, informed by a risk assessment undertaken on its behalf by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC). The work on the risk assessment is nearing completion.

The NBDC and the NPWS recently signed an MOU establishing a new Invasive Alien Species Bureau for Ireland. The Bureau, as part of its future work programme, and to aid implementation of the EU IAS Regulation, will look at developing a new national strategy for invasive alien species.

I can also confirm that, as part of a structured approach to invasive alien species management in Wicklow, work is ongoing on the development of woodland and invasive alien species management plans for properties under the management of the NPWS in Wicklow.