Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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572. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a policy has been developed in respect of the removal of mature trees in towns and villages nationally by local authorities; if a policy has been developed to assist landowners with concerns in relation to the safety of trees on their property in view of the extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is the Lead Government Department for coordinating the response to severe weather events, including those involving high winds. One of the most widespread and potentially dangerous consequence of high wind is the risk of trees breaking and/or falling, posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians in the vicinity. This was the case with ex-Hurricane Ophelia on 16 October 2017, where trees down were reported in many areas across the country, with especially high numbers of roads blocked in the south and south-east regions.

Tragically, the three fatalities which occurred during ex-Hurricane Ophelia, were associated with falling trees and breaking branches. The fatalities underlined the public safety risk of this event which informed the decision of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group to advise the public against undertaking any non-essential activities or travel on 16 October 2017.

In its role as Lead Government Department, my Department has prepared a review report on the severe weather events which affected Ireland between August 2017 and September 2018. The review report includes recommendations for  a risk management approach  to address the issue of trees and public safety. This issue cuts across a number of public bodies and landowners. Under the Roads Act 1993, local authorities have responsibility for trees in public areas while trees on private lands, including lands adjoining public roads, are the legal responsibility of the land owner. 

The inter-departmental recommendations of the review report on severe weather events in 2017/18,  are under active consideration by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.