Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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316. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when hedges can be cut if there is an actual or perceived threat to road or pedestrian safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52912/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Wildlife Act 1976, there is a general prohibition against destruction of vegetation between March 1st and August 31st.

However, there is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation for health and safety reasons, and for cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons.

Section 40(2)(c) of the Wildlife Act provides that it shall not be an offence to carry out cutting, grubbing or destroying of vegetation in the course of any works being duly carried out for reasons of public health or safety by a Minister of the Government or a body established or regulated by or under a statute.

In addition, section 40(2)(g) provides that it shall not be an offence to carry out felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation pursuant to section 70 of the Roads Act 1993.

Please note also that the provisions of section 40 do not extend to dead vegetation (eg: uprooted trees).