Mr. Padraic Joyce:

The IFA supports the Bill because nesting now occurs far earlier in the year due to climate change. August is a busy time for farmers, who exit onto roads and have to deal with hedges which have not been cut and are far out on the roads. A tractor coming onto such roads is a danger to the people passing and the tractor driver. Many fields are overgrown and farmers will find it difficult to work in them.

August is a month during which we pride ourselves on tourism. Briars make it difficult for people to walk and cycle on roads. Tour buses can meet on secondary roads which creates difficulties. Waterlogged fields affect winter cutting and makes it very difficult. From 15 August this year, in my area farmers could not enter such fields to do any work, a situation which continues. Even if they chance entering such fields now, there is a danger to tractor drivers and others more generally. They cannot get work done at present. Hilly land is more dangerous, especially when wet. When machines used for hedge cutting exit onto roads from fields, they bring mud with them which creates another danger on the road.

Overgrown hedges are another problem for farmers. It is easier for people to carry out fly tipping in such hedges. If people come from urban areas and discard waste, which is very easy to do in cases where hedges have not been cut, farmers are responsible. I came before the committee some time ago and heard a member refer to manicured hedges. Farmers want an opportunity to cut hedges and leave them in a good way to grow for the following season. Nesting is much easier in the following season if the hedges have been cut and properly maintained. Local authorities and land owners have to identify the dangers which occur due to overgrown hedges. I again thank the Chairman and members of the committee for inviting us to address them today. I support the Bill.