asked the Minister for Local Government the proposals, if any, he has in relation to tree conservation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tree Conservation.
70.
Under section 45 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, planning authorities may make orders to ensure the preservation in the interests of amenity of any tree, group of trees or woodlands. It may be that full use is not being made of this power and there have been complaints about the felling of trees in the course of development of land. Possible proposals to strengthen the powers of planning authorities are being considered, but it would be premature to announce any details yet.
Would the Minister not agree that under that section of the Act it is a tortuous procedure to bring a court case and go right through the whole procedure of the Act to obtain a tree preservation order in relation to any particular tree in any part of the county? Would the Minister not agree that something should be done to speed up the procedure?
I would not so agree. The further information on this subject which I have informs me that, if it appears to the planning authority that it is expedient in the interest of amenity to make provision for the preservation of any tree, trees, group of trees or woodlands, they may make an order specifying that the tree, trees, group or woodlands to which it applies prohibit the cutting down, topping, lopping or wilful destruction of them except with the consent of the planning authority who may impose a fine of £200.
I agree with the Minister that that section of the Act is there but it is the working of the Act I am questioning.
Well, if people are not doing their job——
It is not as easy as that.
Has the Minister any information as to whether the 40 or so local authorities are operating this part of the Act?
I cannot answer for local authorities because I do not have such information. However, I should like to mention that the local authority of which I was a member for 19 years has acted on this.
The question seeks to deal with this problem and dealing with this problem involves a number of local authorities. Will the Minister ensure that the local authorities are doing what the law says they should do?
I think they are.
I should like to address a question to the Minister in relation to the question of tree conservation. I suppose that in the Minister's general jurisdiction conservation of our general tree population would be his concern. Has the Minister any information in regard to the Dutch Elm disease?
I have no information.
I should like to draw this to the Minister's attention; it is a very serious problem in Britain.
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister for Local Government.