asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that farmers are being prosecuted for failing to cut their hedges on the roadside, and if, in view of the fact that those farmers and their men are now busily engaged in the pulling of the beet crop, he will take steps to stop these prosecutions, and, if necessary, to introduce proposals for legislation to amend the Local Government Act so as to enable road workers who are at present drawing unemployment benefit to be employed on this work.
Ceist—Question. Written Answer. - Cutting of Roadside Hedges.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The trimming or cutting of hedges or trees that are prejudicial to roads is necessary, and owners and occupiers of lands adjoining roads that are required to do this work by the road authority may do so up to the 31st March next. I see no reason to interfere with the discretion of road authorities in the exercise of their statutory powers in this respect.