Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
693. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department will take with the large spread of ragwort, especially on the roadsides of Kerry, as this causes the spread from farm to farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for overseeing the control and the prevention of the spread of certain weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of these weeds, which includes ragwort.
My Department wrote to all Local Authorities, including Kerry County Council, in May 2025, reminding them of their obligations under the legislation and requesting their assistance in the eradication of noxious weeds from public lands.
Under this legislation, a person responsible for land may either be the owner, occupier, user or manager of the land. A Local Authority continues to be deemed responsible for the maintenance and control of public roads and adjoining areas and, as such, has responsibility for the control of the noxious weeds on these roads and lands.
