Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (768)

Dara Calleary

Question:

768. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to a scheme involving the Departments of Rural and Community Development and Housing, Heritage and Local Government that would give financial support to famers and landowners to maintain and cut hedges that are part of or border their land along public roads and amenities ensuring that hedges are sustainably managed and that road safety and visibility issues are also managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12665/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The maintenance of roadside hedges is covered under section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, which states that “the owner or occupier of land shall 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 persons using a public road and that it does not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road".

While my Department acknowledges the responsibility this places on landowners, it has not had any engagement with other government Departments on providing financial support in this area, however I will consider engaging with those other government parties to ensure that the best practical advice on the management of roadside hedges can be developed and provided to landowners.