Thomas Gould
Question:704. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has met with stakeholders on the implication of SI 374/2024. [9679/26]
View answerTuesday, 10 February 2026
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as well as the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, all of which prohibit the introduction and spread of invasive species.
Invasive alien species are one of the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss. Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD) at COP15 in 2022, recognises the detrimental impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity globally.
In December 2023, the European Commission referred Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to implement key provisions of EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species. In July 2024, the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations (SI 374/2024) were introduced to update and strengthen the existing national legislative framework around invasive alien species, and to give effect to the EU IAS Regulation. Subsequently, the case against Ireland was withdrawn from the CJEU.
Prior to the introduction of the 2024 Regulations, my Department's NPWS has engaged in significant work implementing key aspects of the EU IAS Regulation, including the introduction of Priority Pathway Action Plans for three priority pathways of introduction. Stakeholder engagement was key to the development of these Plans. Work on putting management measures in place for priority species, and any future pathway action plans, will also include stakeholder consultation.
My Department is currently working on further implementation of these Regulations in the national context. This work will involve stakeholder engagement as well as interdepartmental cooperation to put a comprehensive framework in place that effectively manages and controls invasive alien species.
Effective management of invasive alien species is essential to protecting our natural habitats and native species, as well as the benefits that flow from biodiversity. The European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations [SI 374/2024] provide the competent authorities with the tools to put this framework in place.
Invasive alien species of deer, such as Sika and Fallow deer, are dealt with through the interdepartmental Deer Management Strategy Group which brings together a range of national experts and stakeholders with a view to managing the impact of deer populations on our natural habitats. The latest report from the DMSG is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/launch-of-deer-management-strategy-group-report/