Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith for his commentary. One of the most immediate tasks is to ensure we have proper corridors wherever the transmission lines are. West Roscommon and Leitrim have huge issues with forests falling, or whole lines of Sitka spruce falling like dominoes onto the line. That can no longer be tolerated. We have asked the Ministers responsible – there has to be collaboration between Departments – to ensure we nail this once and for all to have clear space in order to prevent this type of thing from recurring. Then we need to go further by ensuring road safety and addressing further danger to power lines. When power lines come down, it is a huge health and safety issue for people.

See this speech in context