Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2015
8. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has reviewed the regulations regarding grass cutting and hedge cutting on roadsides here; her plans to extend the dates on which grass cutting and hedge cutting can proceed or if it is her intention to allow such work to proceed all year round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32058/15]
View answerOver the past five or six months the Minister has looked for submissions on verge trimming and hedge cutting throughout the country. This has become a major problem since April from the point of view of road safety and access on the byroads of Ireland.
If one travels the byroads of the country, it is horrendous to see the amount of grass and hedges that are hanging out. Councils, perhaps through lack of funding or whatever, did not have the required resources to deal with the issue. I welcome that in some parts of the country some community schemes are in place - I know of some in Cork and Clare. Will the Minister change the regulations to allow this to be facilitated for a longer period of time, all year around or whatever?
Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of farming and biodiversity. As a result, a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains effective and balanced.
Stakeholders had sought an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts, and last year I announced a consultation process which provided that opportunity. The submissions received have been published on the website of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service at http://www.npws.ie/legislation.
Following the end of the public consultation period, I established a working group, comprising officials from my Department, to consider the submissions received and to report back to me with a range of proposals. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the near future. Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts, would require amending legislation.
I thank the Minister. It is welcome that a working group has been established, but I understand from the reply that it comprises officials from the Minister's Department. Is that correct? Balance is needed from a working group.
When one considers Northern Ireland, it seems as though we live in two Ireland's. Verge and hedge trimming is done in the North throughout the year. It seems that it is in a different EU to the one we are in. There have been €5 million in insurance claims for car transporters around the country because the windscreens of cars being transported have broken. Everyone believes in making sure the nesting season is looked after, but there are health and safety issues. We cannot have grass growing on the sides of the road, which puts people's lives at risk. It is like many things in this country; we have to use a bit of common sense and cop-on.
I thank the Deputy. I am fairly familiar with the dates in Northern Ireland, which are the same as ours. They were changed from the end of July to the end of August. I fully understand the need for health and safety considerations, but councils have the authority to cut hedges where are there are health and safety issues and I would encourage them to do so. I live in the country and understand that when hedges are growing into the middle of the road, it is very dangerous.
The issue is complex and many submissions have been received from farming organisations, contractors, BirdWatch Ireland and other groups. I met different organisations and there are diverse views. I am considering the issue and my officials are working on it. I am trying to find the best way to get the right balance between accommodating hedge cutting while at the same time protecting habitats.
