Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said it is important that landowners be able to cut down trees which are dangerous because of their age and condition. I could not possibly argue with that. This section, however, does not facilitate landowners to cut down trees which are dangerous because of their age or condition; it facilitates them to cut down all trees within 10 metres of a public road whether they are dangerous or not or young or old. A tree could be 800 years old, 1,000 years old or 10 years old. It would not matter that it was planted for commercial purposes or by Brian Boru on the way to the Battle of Clontarf. It applies to every single tree within 10 m of a public road. I have no doubt that the great majority of trees which will be cut down pursuant to the legislation will not be due to dangers on foot of age or condition. I agree that every tree beside a public road which poses any risk due to age or condition should be cut down. We have no dispute on that. My problem is that the legislation applies to every tree. The majority of trees that will be cut down will be cut for firewood to compete with legitimate, active farmers who grow a crop for money. The majority of dangerous trees will still be left standing.