The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) should have "an inspection regime" for forests that receive premiums, according to a TD for Cavan Monaghan.

The Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, said DAFM should inspect these forests to ensure they are "properly maintained".

Deputy Smith had highlighted in the Dáil today (Thursday, June 11) the impact of Storm Eowyn, which had left thousands of people, farms and businesses without power, and the relationship between forestry and electricity transmission lines.

He said new electricity supply legislation - which will lead to the establishment and maintenance of forestry corridors and place new responsibilities on landowners for corridor maintenance - should be "enacted quickly and effectively".

"The last thing we want is to have forestry continuing to damage our critical infrastructure, including telecoms and ESB lines," Deputy Smith added.

He said the lack of maintenance that previously allowed trees and forestry to "cause so much damage" should not be allowed to continue.

Forests

According to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, "lessons have and must continue to be learned from Storm Eowyn".

"The overarching objective is to ensure that overhead electricity networks and forestry can coexist in a manner that delivers a secure, reliable and climate-resilient electricity supply for homes, businesses and communities," the minister added.

He said new legislation will include enhanced "proactive vegetation management measures" to protect the electricity network.

This will see the introduction of powers to clear vegetation likely to interfere with the network; the establishment and maintenance of forestry corridors to improve resilience and operational safety for the network; and statutory regulation of future forestry planting in proximity to the electricity network.

Minister O'Brien added: "The proposed legislation seeks to provide a clear statutory framework to facilitate the proactive management of vegetation and forestry risks, while balancing environmental considerations, forestry interests and the rights of landowners".