Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the tidy up operations after the recent storms and particularly in regard to trees on roadsides and on private lands which were not commercial plantations, the number of felling licences that were issued for health and safety issues and/or other reasons connected to the storms; the record of site inspections prior to issue of licences by Forest Service inspectors; the number of consultations that occurred with the National Parks and Wildlife Service officials where trees were in, or bordered on, ecologically sensitive sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Where trees are damaged by storms or wind-blow, there may be health and safety concerns at the location of these trees, be it from trees still standing, blown, partially blown, or completely uprooted or snapped. The Department must put the safety of members of the public above all else and therefore facilitates the felling of trees that pose a risk to public safety, regardless of their age or aesthetic value. Safety is a consideration throughout the relevant legislation – the Forestry Act, 1946, has exemptions from the need for a licence for trees “standing within one hundred feet of any building other than a wall or temporary structure” or where “the tree is certified by a local authority as dangerous to road traffic on account of age or condition”. In addition, under the Roads Act, 1993, there is an onus on local authorities and landowners to ensure that roadside trees do not pose a risk to traffic. In this context, it is therefore essential that all tidy up operations after the recent storms, and particularly in regard to trees on roadsides, are performed as quickly and safely as possible.

There have been 134 tree felling licences issued to date in respect of storm damaged trees. Of these cases the majority will have health and safety concerns but 17 applications specifically stated that there were safety concerns. Each application was reviewed by a forestry inspector, resulting in the need for 2 site inspections. 5 applications were referred to National Parks and Wildlife Service for its comments.