Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Regarding supports, again the responsibility for trees will vary, depending on where they are positioned. We probably need to look at this issue more cross-departmentally. Local authorities might have a role to play here, as might the Department of Transport and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Our focus has been on those plantation ash tree issues. Approximately 15,000 ha or 16,000 ha of ash were planted and these are all now affected by ash dieback. This is where our focus has been. I accept that not everyone is happy with the scheme but a significant number of farmers have applied for RUS and have been satisfied with it. Again, we will keep this under continual examination. I keep this matter under watch. The issue of ash trees in the wider landscape, though, needs to be examined as well.

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