Junior Minister backs lakes pondweed battle

Seán Kyne has declared war on weed; the Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources has pledged to prioritise funding to fight the spread of Curly African Pondweed.

The Tribune last week revealed how cuts to staffing levels and budget of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) could sink efforts to rid Lough Corrib of the invasive pondweed, Lagarosiphon major.

A programme to control the spread of the invasive species on the lake has successfully curtailed the invader over the past eight years.

But cutbacks mean the project will come to an end this October, with potentially devastating impacts on the local environment and economy.

Campaigners for the retention of the weed-control programme have warned of the risks if the species, a native of southern Africa, is not managed post-October.

They warn discontinuation of the project will:
■ Heighten risk of flooding
■ Threaten brown trout stocks
■ Damage tourism
■ Jeopardise Galway’s clean drinking water supply

The Government, through junior minister Kyne, the Galway West TD, was warned of the consequences, and was urged to intervene to secure long-term financing of the programme.

This week, Minister Kyne said he supports a continuation of the programme.

He conceded the non-native plant is aggressive and invasive and can have serious and negative consequences on the environment, including fish stocks and native wildlife, as well as for tourism and marine-related and leisure activities.

The Moycullen man said: “The threat of this invasive species to Galway’s environment was the first issue I raised on my election to the Dáil in 2011. Back then there was great uncertainty as to how this serious problem could be tackled.

“Thankfully, funding was secured through the co-operation of Galway County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The work has also involved a Galway-based company, GeoMara.

“As Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources this issue comes under my remit as does the State agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland.

“Recently, I have met with those working on the programme to remove and prevent the spread of the pond weed in Galway. I have also raised the programme with the Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Tackling this invasive species is a priority and, in advance of the expiration of the current programme, I am working to ensure that we build on the progress made to date.”