Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The section is being introduced to allow landowners to manage trees adjoining public roads without the requirement for a felling licence. It is important that a landowner can fell trees without a licence where they are dangerous because of their age or condition in the interests of public safety. The 10 m width criterion takes into consideration that the majority of roadside trees are found within this zone and the potential of a tall, mature tree to fall across a public road creating a dangerous hazard. In all afforestation schemes, it is a requirement of grant aid not to plant within 10 metres of a public road. While I accept that roadside trees have a landscape and amenity value, I must balance the needs of landowners to manage roadside trees in the interests of public safety. One cannot have a situation where a landowner who must remove a dangerous tree urgently is forced to wait for a felling licence before he or she can proceed. I cannot, therefore, accept the amendment.