COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins

To ask the Manager to carry out works immediately to safely remove Japanese knotweed at or near the "Capri" site on Whitechurch Road in Rathfarnham. I attach photos which show how the knotweed has spread in recent years and the residents are greatly concerned at the potential threat to adjoining properties.

REPORT:

The site known as the ‘Capri’ site is in private ownership. The area has been inspected and Japanese Knotweed was noted growing on the site across the Whitechurch stream. The Council have contacted the owner of the property to make him aware of the incidence and the need to take action to control the knotweed.  The landowner has responded that he intends to address the matter, the site will continue to be monitored to ensure that this takes place.  The Council does not have any enforcement powers in relation to invasive species, the relevant authority in this regard is the NPWS and they will be contacted and consulted on the matter if the need arises.

The Council's invasive species management programme includes surveying, mapping and treating locations of invasive species on Council owned land. This involves the identification of locations where invasive species are present and then putting in place the surveying, mapping and treatment at the location concerned on an annual basis until such time as treatment is no longer required and monitoring can take over. Two staff members are assigned full time to the identification and treatment of invasive species.