COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
MOTION NO. 8
MOTION: Councillor S. Holland
"Rhododendron is an invasive species which unfortunately has taken hold in the Dublin Mountains (photos available). Since the National Parks and Wildlife Service cut the Rhododendron culling project, it falls to local authorities to try to curb this. Left unchecked it could destroy the common grazing grounds (Rhododendron spreads easily as it is toxic to grazing animals and has therefore got an advantage over native plants). Please advise on what we can do to combat it."
REPORT:
Rhododendron ponticum is a listed plant species under Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011) regarding Non-native species subject to restrictions under Regulations 49 and 50 of said Regulations.
The location of the stand of Rhododendron at issue was viewed by the Heritage Office on 2nd Dec 2015 and its spread uphill across open bogland and upland grassland was noted. The land in question is used as commonage for grazing sheep and is not Council property. As such, it does not fall under the remit of Council to address the management of this invasive species in this location.
The land in question, however, is noted to be within the boundary of the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation (Site Code 002122). The National Parks and Wildlife Service are the national body with responsibility to prepare and oversee the implementation of Conservation Management Plans for Natura 2000 sites such as the Wicklow Mountains SAC. The presence of this species in this location within the boundary of the SAC, with the potential to spread further within the site and compromise protected habitats, is of significance.
The NPWS will be alerted to the presence of this invasive species within the SAC and a response requested regarding their intentions to manage this plant at this location.