Green Limerick: Emergency task force sought to control ‘invasive species’

AN EMERGENCY taskforce may be set up to tackle plants which are causing chaos to the biodiversity along one of the feeder rivers into the Shannon.

The Mulcair River is a “showcase for alien invasive plant species,” according to local Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan.

He has seen a motion passed to call on Limerick City and County Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland and other agencies supporting the development of Ireland’s waterways to come together to tackle the problem.

“We need to control these species,” he told this month’s metropolitan district meeting, “If you look at a map, you will see the most noxious, giant hogweed is absent from the Shannon system, apart from Castleconnell downwards. The source of this is the Mulcair.”

“Everything is present in this system. There is giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, numerous species of knotweed. All of these were ornamental plants in gardens, but they are spread by water-carrying seaweed material. It impacts on water quality, biodiversity and human health,” the City East councillor added.

He said tackling the issue – which he described as “solvable” – can only be achieved with different agencies working together.

And he warned if the various riverside greenways go ahead, it could make things worse, as it will create a “pathway” for the spread of these plants.

“Unless a concerted effort is made to control these alien invasive species in Limerick, it’s going to be a severe impediment to development of greenways up and down the system,” Cllr Hartigan said.

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Fellow City East councillor Elena Secas seconded the motion, which was also supported by Cllr Joe Pond and district leader, Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan.

“It’s paramount the correct measures are taken to control and eradicate these invasive species,” Cllr Secas said.

She suggested a presentation be made by the council to show how alien species are being controlled along the stretch of water, saying a strategy was developed on this some years ago.