A new partnership has been launched with the aim of strengthening Ireland's approach to managing invasive species.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) have joined forces to establish the Invasive Species Bureau.
The partnership was launched at the NBDC in Waterford this morning, as will a new roadmap for managing the Asian hornet in Ireland.
The Asian hornet, native to Southeast Asia, has spread through continental Europe since its accidental introduction in France in 2004.
It poses a major ecological risk to native pollinators, and a single nest can devastate local honeybee populations.
Last year, reported sightings of the invasive insect in Cork resulted in the location and removal of two Asian hornet nests.
Other examples of invasive species found in Ireland include rhododendron ponticum, North American mink and Japanese knotweed.
It comes as RTÉ's This Week reported that several high-risk invasive plants that are illegal to sell in Ireland have been found for sale to Irish shoppers.
The Invasive Species Bureau formalises the partnership between the NPWS and NBDC to support the implementation of EU regulations in respect of these invasive species and others, and to strengthen Ireland’s approach to managing them.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan said members of the public are being asked to report sightings of the Asian hornet through an enhanced online portal.
He said: "We remain vigilant about the Asian hornet given the threat it poses to native pollinators. This roadmap does just that - it ensures that we are well prepared to prevent it from gaining a foothold in Ireland.
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"Each step within this roadmap - from early detection, through to investigation, eradication strategy and deployment of all control measures - is based on the best available scientific evidence.
"The public plays an important role in our early warning system too. We have now made it even easier for everyone to log onto the invasives.ie portal and report suspected sightings of the Asian hornet along with other invasive species," the minister added.
NBDC chairperson John McCarthy said an effective response to invasive species requires "data and evidence at its heart, and greater national coordination of the key agencies delivering on the ground actions."
He said: "We are very pleased to be supporting NPWS in the delivery of this important work, drawing on the scientific and technical expertise of the National Biodiversity Data Centre."
"Contributing to improved national coordination of evidence-based actions will slow the rate of introduction of new invasive species and limit their negative impact on our native species and habitats," Mr McCarthy added.
Meanwhile, NPWS Director General Niall Ó Donnchú said the partnership demonstrates the commitment to protecting "our high value nature areas and native species and will ensure that we meet our national and EU obligations."
A memorandum of understanding signed by both parties sets out the objectives, terms and scope of the work to be undertaken by the newly established Invasive Species Bureau, including the drawing up of National Invasive Species Management Strategy for Ireland.
'Learned from success of Asian hornet experience' - minister
The Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity said it is important to prevent invasive species from getting a foothold in Irish nature and negatively impacting Irish biodiversity.
Mr O'Sullivan said the rapid and coordinated response of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Biodiversity Data Centre to the Asian hornet last year limited the impact the species could have had.
"We very much learned from the success of the Asian hornet experience last year, and that the key to that was number one, collaboration, and that's not just collaboration between the NPWS and the Biodiversity Data Center, but also with other stakeholders and organiSations as well, for example, agriculture."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister O'Sullivan said the establishment of a new Invasive Species Bureau will both inform the public and enable reporting of any sightings.
Mr O'Sullivan said that every member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been trained to identify the Asian hornet, as have 20 pest control personnel.
