Written answers
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location of the commercial plantations in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, that have power lines running through them and how many there are; with the possibility of more storms in the future, how are both Coillte and the ESB going to address the issue of badly maintained forests, trees falling over and accessibility issues for repair crews, where thousands of homes lost electricity for days, during storm Isha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8114/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
My Department does not hold information on what forests have power lines running through them.
As set out in my Department's Forestry Standards Manual, each forest owner is responsible for cutting or lopping trees in their forest to ensure that trees are not growing to a height of more than 3m above the ground in ESB corridors. The landowner is also responsible for keeping a minimum corridor of at least 4m in width totally clear of regenerating trees for ESB maintenance access.
Under Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by Section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the ESB and its authorised undertakers are empowered to lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with electrical wires or to do the same where the tree, shrub or hedge interferes with the erection or laying of any such electrical wires or with the survey of the proposed route of any transmission or distribution lines.
There is no requirement under the Forestry Act 2014 for the ESB to give notice in relation to or seek approval for any such works from my Department.
Such works are a matter between the ESB and the landowner in question, in accordance with relevant provisions of Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by Section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.
No comments