Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1207.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to restricting or banning the sale of leylandii trees and saplings, which are the bane of many a neighbour’s life, as they are often planted in close proximity in urban settings which are not often appropriate for such tall leafy trees which grow rapidly and become unmanageable quickly unless properly maintained and pruned back regularly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[33815/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is a member of the EU. The EU single market seeks to guarantee the free movement of goods (one of the ‘four freedoms’). This is achieved through common rules and standards that all participating Member States are legally obliged to follow. One such set of rules are the rules on plant health which seek to protect the Union’s territory and its plants together with ensuring safe trade.

The trade and movement of plants and plant products into and within the EU is permitted and governed by the EU Plant Health Regulation 2031 of 2016 and the Official Controls Regulation 625 of 2017. These Regulations harmonise the rules on several areas, including trade and movement of plants. This is important in order to ensure the same level of phytosanitary protection within the EU and a level playing field for all EU producers and traders. The Department cannot restrict or ban the sale of lleylandi trees or saplings which meet EU plant health rules.