Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister of State's response. The Department would certainly have the best data available. One interesting point made in the Minister of State's response is that he agrees with my position on trees on the roadside and the danger of their being blown down. There is one option that could be considered and which might provide value for money. Perhaps the Department, in conjunction with local authorities, might carry out some evaluation of roadside trees that have ivy attached to them to ascertain the danger they pose. If local authorities could be provided with a small contribution, I am sure they would carry out such an assessment as a first step in mitigating any danger of roadside trees falling over as a result of being damaged by ivy. That useful first step could be carried out on a pilot basis. It could even be carried out in a number of counties, starting in County Clare, to ascertain if there was a need to roll it out further. It might be a way of mitigating any huge financial burden on the Department.