Pathway Action Plans
Ireland’s Pathway Action Plans
With increased movement of people and goods around the world, there is an increased introduction of alien (non-native) species to new areas where they can become invasive. Therefore actions to help reduce the risk of further introductions is required. Key to this, is knowing how the invasive species are likely to be introduced and acting to prevent further introductions through those pathways.
Pathways are the routes and mechanisms of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS).
The purpose of Pathway Action Plans (PAPs) is to prevent or minimize the risk posed by the pathways using measures such as raising public awareness and setting out actions to prevent unintentional introductions by minimizing the contamination of goods, commodities, vehicles, and equipment by invasive alien species, and ensuring appropriate border checks.
The first three pathway action plans for development in Ireland are the following pathways:
- Angling (Finalized April 2022)
- Recreational boating and watercraft (Finalized May 2022)
- Movement of soil and stone (Finalized June 2023)
These Pathway Action Plans (PAPs) are three in a series of plans being developed to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of invasive alien species in Ireland.
The final pathway action plans are published and can be viewed by clicking on the below images. Also available is a synopsis brochure for the Angling and Recreational Boating & Watercraft pathway action plans.





Each plan was drafted by a Working Group chaired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and were made available for public consultation.
Click here to view the Submissions Report for the Angling and the Recreational Boating Pathway Action Plans.
Click here to view the Submissions Report for the Soil and Stone Pathway Action Plan.