Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have spurred into the territory of section 8 in this debate. Landowners must have clarity and we cannot allow a situation to stand in which a person complying with an obligation under the Roads Act is in contravention of the Wildlife Act. That is not right or fair.

The Roads Act is absolutely clear. A landowner is obliged to deal with vegetation that is a hazard. He or she has no option, in fact. We cannot have a situation where they are forbidden to do so under the wildlife legislation.

I wish to say to Deputy Eamon Ryan that this is not carte blanche legislation and it is not a loosening of regulation. I will have regulations governing hedgerow management in August, for the first time. I noted his suggestion that farmers are not good custodians of nature. I vehemently disagree with him because I think farmers are the primary custodians of nature.

I can tell Deputy Tóibín that there has been no retreat from nature in this legislation. I am putting almost €300 million into our heritage over the next ten years. That is a statement of advancing the cause of nature and biodiversity and is not one of retreat.

In response to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, this Bill ultimately is about safety on the road, security for users and the husbandry of roadside hedgerows. I will engage with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the matter. I disagree with Deputy Danny Healy-Rae about the drink driving limits but agree with his comments about cyclists and pedestrians.