903. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the Departmental policy in relation to the use of glyphosate-based herbicides by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57254/26]

The Office of Public Works (OPW) permits glyphosate-based herbicides only on an occasional basis when no suitable non-chemical alternative exists, acting in accordance with the EU Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. Current guidance, regarding application of glyphosate-based herbicides, is framed by the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aspires to the restoration of degraded ecosystems of member states, through various measures, including reducing the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030. In Ireland this aspiration is being driven by Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023 – 2030 (Action 2B6). The OPW is an active partner in the delivery of this plan and reports annually around actions pertaining to the OPW and related biodiversity actions being taken. OPW use of herbicides is guided by the ‘Guidance for the Office of Public Works (OPW) workers who use plant protection products,’ which prioritises non-chemical weed control methods and risk reduction targets as set out under national action plans. This guidance also requires a registry to be kept of all purchase, application and storage of such pesticides, in line with the integrated pest management checklist, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

On occasion and when required for operational reasons, the OPW has a number of external contracts in place, with invasive species treatment specialists, who use glyphosate as part of their treatment programme.

The OPW does not use glyphosate for general weed control in flood risk management operations, except for targeting specific invasive alien species specified by listed under the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011) and more recently EU Regulation 1143/2014.

OPW personnel and contractors applying authorised plant protection products must meet strict professional training and certification criteria, as detailed by the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (2009/128/EC). This directive establishes a framework for the sustainable use of pesticides. This directive was transposed into Irish law by SI No. 155 of 2012, European Communities (Sustainable Use of Pesticides) Regulations 2012.

The OPW Biodiversity Unit has developed a programme of comprehensive training that directly relates to non-native invasive species, this training programme, run at several locations across the OPW portfolio of properties, includes significant elements addressing appropriate use of glyphosate-based herbicide and some appropriate alternatives.