Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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579. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding fallen trees in Killarney National Park, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The recent exceptional storms caused extensive damage to trees in many properties, including some in Killarney National Park and in the other National Parks and Nature Reserves. In dealing with this matter, the first concern of my Department is Health and Safety at its properties. Accordingly, the works being carried out in the aftermath of the storms continue to focus on making safe any fallen or damaged trees that might pose a danger to the public, other licensed users of these properties, or staff of my Department. Considering the exceptional and widespread nature of the storm damage, my Department is carrying out an assessment of the extent to which trees at its many properties may have been affected, with a view to establishing the best course of action for dealing with damaged trees, including consideration of the safe and appropriate use, removal and disposal of fallen and felled trees.