Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
386. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the research commissioned in connection with the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021 was received by his Department; when he expects the findings to be published; the reasons for the delay in publication to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48645/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra387. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the independent review undertaken in respect of the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021; whether the report has been considered by his Department; if he intends to publish it; whether legal advice has been sought arising from its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48646/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra388. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that remain before the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021 can proceed through the Houses of the Oireachtas; whether the Government intends to advance the Bill following consideration of the research and review undertaken; whether any precautionary measures are under consideration pending a final decision on the legislation, particularly in light of concerns regarding the potential spread of tropilaelaps mites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48647/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 387 and 388 together.
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 any legal advice since the research report has been finalised.
The movement of bees within the European Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the Union including safeguarding against tropilaelaps mites.
