Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the legislation on tree-felling, in view of recent court decisions on personal injury awards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7847/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The felling of trees is legislated for by the Forestry Act, 1946. Provision is included within that Act for the removal, without a licence, by a public authority of roadside trees that are considered dangerous. New legislation to replace the 1946 Act, the Forestry Act 2014, was passed in late 2014 and provides for exemptions in certain circumstances from the requirement for a felling licence. These include removal by a planning authority of trees considered dangerous on account of their age, condition or location, and removal by private landowners of trees within 10 metres of a public road which, in the opinion of the owner, are dangerous to persons using the public road on account of their age and condition. It is expected that the provisions of the new Act will be commenced in or around mid 2015.