Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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873. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the importation and planting of leylandii cypress trees given how susceptible these are to damage and falling during high winds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2909/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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One of the keystones of the European Union internal market is the principle of the free movement of goods. The legal basis for the free movement of goods are set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Ireland as a member of the EU is bound by the TFEU and therefore would not unilaterally ban goods which are free to move in the EU.

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 importation or planting of leylandii trees or saplings which meet EU plant health rules.

Trees are living organisms and like all other living organisms they have a finite lifespan. Over time, trees may become physically damaged or be subject to a plant pest or disease. It is very important for land and property owners to actively look after trees on their property especially those along roadsides and to be able to recognise and take appropriate action where significant tree damage and possible risk to people or property are identified. The Roads Act 1993 requires owners or occupiers of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees or other vegetation on their land are not a hazard to persons using a public road. Local authorities may issue notices to landowners requesting them to maintain or cut back trees or hedges

My Department, in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland has published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”) and this can be accessed at the Department website and can be found here: