Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called for a ban on the use of herbicides on the roadside along the N11 as it passes through the Glen of the Downs, Ireland’s first state owned nature reserve. He was particularly concerned at the potential for the herbicides to leak into the Three Trout stream which runs through the nature reserve, as herbicides are known to be particularly damaging to aquatic life.
Deputy Brady also raised a number of concerns around ongoing practices in the area to tackle the growth of weeds, which is effectively a scorched earth policy which destroys all plants and fauna. As the nature reserve is state owned, and given the highest environmental protection under Irish law, there is a clear onus on Minister Darragh and Green Party Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan, who as Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform describes himself as one who works ‘…tirelessly for an Ireland where healthy, resilient ecosystems teem with wildlife…’, to ensure that the diverse ecosystem in the Glen of the Downs is protected from the use of herbicide weed killers.
The use of which is heavily legislated for under Irish law, under section 40 of the wildlife act. Which stipulates that the untargeted spraying of road verges with herbicide is an offence under the aforementioned Act. It is also illegal to use herbicides at this time of the year, specifically from the 1st of March to the 31st of August.
It appears that in recent weeks that herbicide was employed by the company that is contracted to maintain the N11 / M11, these works are completely separate to works that were carried out last year in the nature reserve by experts to remove invasive species, which had full ministerial consent.
Brady said:
“Under section 40 of the wildlife act the use of pesticides within or close to special areas of conservation or Natural Heritage Areas, such as the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve, is a notifiable action which requires ministerial consent.
Wicklow County Council (WCC) has previously recognised the dangers posed by the use of herbicides, which contain glyphosate, which is known to be damaging to biodiversity. There are major and very real concerns as to whether glyphosate is carcinogenic.
WCC has recognised that there are concerns and public opposition to the use of herbicides near pollinating insects, and to humans. WCC committed to ending the use of herbicides in the County.
I have written to both Minister Darragh O’Brien, who as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan of the Green Party, raising my concerns at these actions.
I have also sought clarification from both Ministers as to which of them, and whether both of them had granted consent for the use of herbicides in the Glen of the Downs.
The Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve is state owned, and its status is protected under Irish law. It is an area of incredible natural beauty here in Wicklow. It is also a very important and special area of conservation.
The area previously endured significant impact from construction work on the N11/M11 motorway which led to the loss of parts of the ancient woodland, with its associated flora, fauna, and biodiversity.
To maintain the delicate balance of biodiversity in the Glen of the Downs it is essential that every effort is made to preserve the health of the eco-system in the nature reserve.
The Minister’s in question must give assurances that the use of herbicides will cease, that alternative measures will be used on the N11 roadsides, and the no trace of the herbicides used are to be found in local water courses, particularly the Three Trout stream in the Glen.
It is an environmental imperative that the Ministers are seen to be acting to ensure that the rich heritage which the people of Wicklow have inherited from their ancestors must be protected. The government must ensure that it carries out its role and responsibility in terms of securing this ancient woodland for future generations.”
Brady concluded:
“I am calling on Minister’s Darragh O’Brien to confirm if Ministerial approval has been granted for the use of harmful herbicides on the road verge on the N11 passing through the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve? I am asking if approval was given, which of the two minister’s granted approval? Did the company staff who used the herbicide in the Glen of the Downs receive appropriate training in the use of herbicides, and were they registered with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine, which is mandatory since 2015?
Can they give a guarantee that no traces of herbicide have found its way into the local water system, particularly the Three Trout Stream, which runs through the Glen of the Downs? And are they prepared to give an assurance that they will in future ensure that safer, more environmentally friendly forms of weed control will be employed, in order to protect the delicate ecosystem in the Glen of the Downs?
Are the Ministers prepared to give an undertaking to carry out an investigation as to whether there has been contamination of any part of the nature reserve, including the Three Trout stream by herbicides.