Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, no ash trees are being planted anywhere in Europe now, so whatever type of trees they are, they are not ash. They might be planting oak or something else. The Deputy is 100% right that, considering the lessons we have learned, no trees should be planted on roadsides. The Deputy asked if I have responsibility for trees growing on our roadsides. No, I do not. My responsibility is plantations.

We will call it all of the different schemes for afforestation but I am not responsible for roadside hedges because, as the Deputy knows, that comes under the Department of local government, which is not my Department. I am not saying that to try to get out of it, but I cannot accept responsibility for something I am not responsible for.