Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
2042. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on amending the Forestry Acts to provide protection and regulation for trees in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Forestry Act 2014 details the requirements and obligations in relation to tree felling licences. A felling licence provides authority under the Act to the applicant to uproot or otherwise remove trees. There are certain situations, outside of a forest, where trees can be felled without the need to submit a tree felling licence. As per Section 19(1)(a) of the Forestry Act, 2014, one such situation is a tree or trees in an urban area.
The protection of trees in urban areas are a matter for the relevant local authority. Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2011, local authorities have a mandatory responsibility to include objectives in the Development Plan relating to the preserving of amenities. This empowers the planning authority to make provision for tree preservation by establishing a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). No tree covered by a TPO may be felled, topped, lopped or otherwise destroyed without the consent of the local authority.
I have currently no plans to amend the Forestry Act, 2014.
