Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is the proposal agreed? Agreed.

We will deal now with a number of petitions grouped together. The issue raised is the absence of legislation imposing height restrictions for trees. This is an important issue to a number of families. The petitions are P00050/12 from Mr. Michael Byrne, P00070/12 from Mr. Denis Moran and P00071/12 from Dr. Jean Clarke. Members have been circulated with the petitions. There is nothing in legislation which vindicates the right of a family not to have an imposition placed on them as a result of a tall tree or hedge. I refer, for example, to problems with light. It can cost up to €20,000 to have a dispute about the height of trees resolved. The issue comes under the remit of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act in England and Wales and the High Hedges (Northern Ireland) Act in the North. The Minister for Justice and Equality is considering legislation which would entitle homeowners to adequate light. He also proposes to introduce a mediation Bill to promote the use of mediation to resolve issues of this nature. In our view, the issue of trees falls within the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is suggested, as a first step, that the joint committee submit the relevant petitions to the Department requesting feedback from the Minister on his willingness to produce legislation to resolve problems of this nature.