Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have raised the issue of ash dieback on numerous occasions. This perilous disease hit Ireland in 2012 and now almost 80% of our 123 million ash trees are dead or dying. Valuable land, including 2,000 ha in Tipperary, has been rendered useless. Plant and animal life have been wiped out and livelihoods have been seriously eroded. Common sense would dictate that the lands should be cleared. It is a logical and sensible move that 6,000 landowners across the country should be compensated for this calamity and permitted to clear and reuse their land, returning it to productive use. Grant aid is available but there is also a requirement to obtain a felling licence. These licences are not available as currently we have no forestry scheme in place. Landowners are angry and frustrated because their hands are tied and their pleas are going unheard. Realism must prevail here. These trees have decayed and landowners must be legally permitted to fell them.

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