Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important to note that many farmers are also involved in schemes such as the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, and green, low-carbon, argi-environment scheme, GLAS, which already ensure they have to maintain their farms in a very particular manner, particularly in a designated area. We will support the amendment because the scientific argument for the cutting of the hedgerows at an earlier time in the year has not been put forward as strongly as we would like. When we discussed this issue with Michelle O'Neill, a former Minister for agriculture in the North, we heard that they had a similar issue there. I note the timing of the cutting here is in alignment with the timing of the cutting in the North. We would prefer to err on the side of caution if the science is put forward that says that no damage can be done to the species in question in the hedgerows.

It is important to understand there is a great frustration among rural communities about the maintenance and upkeep of hedges in particular. The proposed amendment No. 6 goes a long way to address that. It would allow a farmer or another person in a rural locality to go to the local authority and highlight that there is a road safety issue or that people have to walk in the middle of a country road, which can be equally dangerous, to avoid an overhanging hedge. People can apply for permission in that respect from their local authority and that just needs to be notified. That is a logical provision. It is probably the prudent way to approach the issue.I hope the Minister will take on board the amendment in the spirit in which it is being put forward.