Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give urgent consideration to the introduction of grant aid for landowners to remove roadside trees that have ash dieback disease and pose a danger to public safety taking into account the substantial costs in removing such trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40541/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support to owners of grant aided forests impacted by ash dieback disease, currently through the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 and the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme.
In relation to roadside trees, Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road. The implementation of the legislation on the management or removal of dangerous roadside trees is the responsibility of the local authority, in its capacity as the relevant road authority.
My Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees or trees outside of forests but has published guidance “A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”. This publication provides information on how to identify trees that have ash dieback and outlines specific issues related to health and safety in tree work.
To assist hedgerow management, section 19 of the Forestry Act 2014, states that trees outside a forest, within 10 metres of a public road and which in the opinion of the owner, are dangerous to persons using the public road on account of age or condition, do not require a felling licence. Therefore, roadside trees meeting these conditions, may be felled without a licence.
