Senator Victor Boyhan has called for support under the road acts to be provided to farmers, who have the responsibility to remove “dangerous” roadside trees.
Landowners are currently permitted to cut hedgerows and what are considered to be “dangerous” trees, with the season open from September 1 until February 29.
Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of “vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch” is illegal between March 1 and August 31, annually.
The senator said that ash dieback is causing a “huge problem” and that given public safety concerns, the government should “explore practical ways” to support the removal of these trees, so that the work does not interfere with the safe use of the road.
Senator Boyhan said that with a “tight” period for the work to be complete, support “needs to come fast”.
He has called on Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to look at the issue.
Senator Boyhan said that “farmers need to be fully aware of their onerous responsibilities”, and that they need to be supported through the extension of the Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme, which is operated by some local authorities.
Senator Boyhan highlighted the work of Leitrim County Council in supporting farmers during this year’s hedge cutting period.
Leitrim County Council confirmed that it will be continuing the hedge cutting grant this year, with supports remaining at €75/km of roadside hedges or trees to be cut.
In addition, the county council has added a grant for cutting of dangerous overhanging trees, branches or canopies as part of their Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme.
The grant is worth €50/km of “dangerous” branches to cut. To qualify, landowners must have a minimum of 10 overhanging trees per kilometre.