The government has been urged to consider an extension to the current deadline for hedge cutting, which comes into comes into effect from March 1, by the Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice.

Under the  Wildlife Act 1976, the "cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation" growing in any hedge or ditch between March 1 and August 31 is not allowed.

Deputy Fitzmaurice highlighted in the Dáil yesterday (Thursday, February 20) that "over the last few weeks the people of the west, the north west and the midlands have suffered fair torture with the storm".

"Those contractors need to do work for farmers and the hedge cutting season is closing at the end of this month," Deputy Fitzmaurice said.

He has appealed to the government to "look at giving a two-week period now for those people who had to go there to help during the storm to allow them to help the farming community".

In response to Deputy Fitzmaurice the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, said that the hedge cutting "timelines are there to protect wildlife and certain nature".

According to Teasgasc the "absence of hedge" cutting from March to September allows birds to nest safely and without disturbance.

"Of these, 35 bird species nest in hedges that provide enough cover from predators - both overhead and on the ground," it has outlined.

Teagasc has also highlighted that farmers in derogation also have to leave at least one mature Whitethorn or Blackthorn tree in every 300m of hedgerow or hedgerows have to be maintained on a minimum three year cycle.

Separately the Independent Ireland TD also raised in the Dáil yesterday the issue of potential additional legislation in relation to trees to safeguard against the fallout from any future storms.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said: "Will the Government bring in legislation to ensure that trees, be they on roadsides or in forestry, will be dealt with to ensure we will not again go through the torture we have seen people go through in the last few weeks?"