Taoiseach signals alarm over imported bees crossing the border from Northern Ireland

Micheál Martin was responding to Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, who said laws must be introduced to stop the import of non-native honeybee queens into Ireland to prevent the hybridisation of the native Irish honeybee. File picture

The Taoiseach has signalled alarm over imported bees flying across the border from Northern Ireland.

In backing proposals to ban the import of non-native honey bee queens into Ireland, Micheál Martin said he is very concerned about the decline in biodiversity and the threat to our native bees.

However, he suggested that even if a ban is introduced, bees crossing the border could still pose a problem.

"There are about 330 imports, I think, into the Republic. We have thousands into the North of Ireland. That creates a problem for us."

He added: "If things continue for the next 50 years, we potentially face the extinction of the native Irish honeybee."

Mr Martin was responding to Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, who said laws must be introduced to stop the import of non-native honeybee queens into Ireland to prevent the hybridisation of the native Irish honeybee.

"Recent research shows that up to 25% of honeybees in Ireland are now non-native - a really big jump in a short period of time," Mr O'Gorman said.

Mr Martin said he is willing to work with Mr O'Gorman on the matter, adding that he shares the same "objectives and aspirations" in relation to saving the honeybee.

"A memo came to the Government last week on the matter. I better be careful: I was going to say the matter is not black and white but, as the Deputy knows, that is the unique characteristic of the native Irish honeybee," he told the Dáil.

Mr Martin added that consumer awareness and education about our native honeybee and its product should increase, which he said is "far better honey, health-wise and well-being-wise, for all of us, as opposed to imports".

Mr O'Gorman said: "This is not just a question of protecting nature; it is a question of our country's food security. 

"As regards the Irish honeybee and its hybridisation that we see at the moment, this process risks ending a unique genetic resource that has evolved very specifically towards the Irish climate. This process puts our bee population at risk, and there are consequences of that for food production and plant diversity."

• Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor.