Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will keep it brief because I would only be reiterating what was said already. I am grateful for the opportunity to make some brief closing remarks on what has been a fascinating discussion. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for initiating this Bill and the effort to address an issue that can become both serious and distressing for some in our communities, where they are in dispute with their neighbours over nuisance vegetation. I have advised previously that the Government has decided not to oppose this legislation. As I have suggested, however, the Bill has at least to some extent been overtaken by events, namely, the introduction of the Mediation Act 2017 by the Minister for Justice from 1 January 2018. This Act has created an environment which facilitates a voluntary process whereby parties to a dispute can, with the help of a mediator, reach an agreement to resolve a dispute. Such mediation services are widely available now across the State, some offering services free of charge to clients with others charging.

In assigning both mediation and adjudication functions to local authorities, the Bill takes a novel approach. In progressing this legislation, however, consideration will need to be given to a number of important factors, including the civil law implications, the property rights implications, and the staff and financial resources implications for local authorities. Overall, despite the invaluable work they do in shaping the communities in which we live, local authorities are not currently involved in dispute resolution matters between individuals. I thank the Deputy.

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