Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Regarding distance from a road, the 1946 Act already provides that where a notice is issued, one can cut down a tree. It is a necessary provision. The Bill proposes that no felling licence would be required where in the opinion of the planning authority a tree is dangerous on account of its age, condition or location. That is very sensible. There is a further provision that no felling licence is required where a tree is removed by a public authority in the performance of its statutory duties. That is also sensible. However, I do not accept that every read within 10 m of a public road poses a risk to the public. If that is the case, the NRA has wasted a great deal of money over the last ten years. If one drives from Galway to Dublin on the M6 or from Limerick to Dublin on the M7, one sees a great many trees which have been planted at taxpayers' expense along the motorways. Every tree within 10 m of a public road either poses a risk or it does not. Some trees clearly poses risks. Many trees which are standing should be got rid of. However, as I said on Second Stage, I have seen many trees cut down beside public roads in Clare which posed no risk to anyone.

I question the purpose of the provision. Are we talking about cutting down trees because they pose a risk to the public or are we talking about cutting down trees for firewood? I have seen many more trees cut down for firewood near public roads than have been cut down because of a risk to the public. I have no qualms about the fact that trees must be cut down if they are dangerous. I do not consider, however, that every tree within 10 m of a public road poses a risk.