Engineers Ireland

About the event

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs), such as Japanese knotweed, and other related knotweed species and Gunnera are now a major issue facing all developers when it comes to delivering important infrastructure projects. These species have significant potential to impact infrastructure itself, biosecurity and are currently creating monocultures along our roads, rivers and streams. They can easily be spread during construction and maintenance operations if comprehensive biosecurity safeguards are not put in place. This presentation will address the important IAPs encountered on the national road network in Ireland as well as the legislative framework for controlling the spread of IAPs. Cases studies showing the likely implications for development will be presented along with some of the clean-up solutions currently adopted to remove IAPs from construction sites. The national framework developed by TII to manage and eradicate IAPs will also be presented.

About the Speaker

Vincent O'Malley is Head of Environmental Policy and Compliance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). He obtained his PhD in atmospheric chemistry from Memorial University in Canada. Over the past 30 years he has worked as an environmental specialist in private consultancy, academic research and the public sector. He held various posts in the UK, US, and the Middle East. His research interests include road traffic noise, trace organic pollution, and environmental policy in climate change, waste, biodiversity and sustainability. Vincent recently chaired the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR) Noise Research Group and is the current Chair of the 2015-2018 transnational research group in climate change. He is also a member of the EU Noise Technical Group and a member of the Infra Eco European Wildlife Group. Vincent has published several papers in his areas of specialisation.

Admission

Free and all are welcome to attend. Tea/ coffee will be served from 6:30 PM