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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 4

Written Answers. - Protection of Trees.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

213 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment whether his attention has been drawn to the contradictory laws on trees and the environment in that official public policy protects trees while local authority decisions are destroying them, as for example in Galway city where vast numbers of trees in public places have been felled and where Galway Country Council have publicly notified land owners of their liability for falling trees; whether he will now consider a reversion to the Act of God law where it is recognised, for example, by insurance companies that accidents take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In February of this year my Department reissued a comprehensive circular on roadside trees to local authorities. This reminded them of their statutory powers and, in particular, asked them to bring to the notice of landowners any roadside trees which they considered to be an actual or potential danger to road users because they were dead, dying or seriously decayed. The circular also reminded local authorities of their responsibilities in relation to the environment and the preservation of amenities, expressly precluded the wholesale felling of trees unless local authorities were satisfied from physical inspection that the trees were prejudical to the road or an actual or potential danger to road users, and encouraged local authorities to undertake replacement planting. I consider this responsible approach to represent a reasonable balance between the protection of the environment and the safety of road users.

With regard to the particular cases of Galway city and county, I understand from Galway Corporation that only a small number of trees have been felled and then only after a thorough examination by expert tree surgeons. The corporation plant replacement trees in all cases. I understood from Galway County Council that they have a particular concern about dangerous trees because of the tragic deaths of seven people near Portumna during the winter and accordingly asked Coillte Teoranta to survey the roadside trees in the county. Coillte Teoranta marked all trees that needed attention. Some people were concerned that all the marked trees were for felling. This was not the case and many only required lopping or pruning. In the light of this confusion, the county council published notices in local papers informing the public of the actual position.

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