Road Safety Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2012

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Questions (86)

Jim Daly

Question:

86. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the system in place to ensure the maintenance of hedgerows and verges in rural areas under section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 which is intended to safeguard road users of all types of hazardous growth that impinges on road users; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that hedgerows are being totally neglected in rural Ireland since 2009 and have reduced the clearance width between hedges by up to four metres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Also under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, the owner or occupier of land is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation on the land is not a hazard or potential hazard to the safe use of a public road.  This section also confers powers on local authorities to ensure that action is taken to address potential hazards by landowners or failing that by direct action by the local authority. In view of the provisions set out above, I am satisfied that local authorities have adequate powers to ensure the maintenance of hedgerows and verges.