Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Flanagan for his contribution and the points he raised. I will ask for a direct reply from the Department in respect of the query he raised about the costs and why that would be prohibitive and the way in which it would be prohibitive. My Department will give consideration to the high trees issues in the context of its legislative programme and will have to identify the most cost-effective approach. We have to discover the most common sense and effective way to do it. I agree with the Deputy because I have heard cases in which people are placed at a big disadvantage. They may not have the resources to hire a solicitor and go to court.

Our local authorities are already operating under resource constraints and restrictions, as the Deputy noted. They must enforce many statutory codes including planning, building control and fire safety so if we introduce a new resource-intensive response, we must be able to justify it. I am happy to bring that to the attention of the Minister for direct reply to the Deputy if that is acceptable.

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