Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2026
155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 10 April 2025, the progress made in reviewing forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electrical network and updating forestry related requirements; when the new regulations will be published and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46351/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of widespread concerns in some rural communities that replanting of forestry is continuing close to critical infrastructure such as electricity lines which will inevitably cause further problems for the electricity network in the future as evidenced by the widespread damage caused to transmission lines by falling trees particularly in recent years following storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46348/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is proposed to amend legislation and regulations in relation to forestry, taking into account the widespread concerns of communities regarding power outages which have occurred as a direct result of trees falling on power lines and telecommunication lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46386/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156 and 158 together.
Under Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by Section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the ESB and its representatives, taking due care and attention to avoid unnecessary damage, 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. Such works are a matter between the ESB and anyone acting on their behalf, and the landowner in question, and do not require a felling licence from my Department.
In July 2025 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 which will enhance the resilience of the electricity grid. The purpose of this Bill is to enable proactive measures, such as the establishment and maintenance of designated forestry corridors within existing forestry. The Heads of Bill allows for the creation of Corridors up to a width of 55 metres for distribution lines and up to 74 metres for the transmission lines. The specific arrangements will be provided for in subsequent regulations.
My Department and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment are continuing to discuss this matter with a view to finding solutions that improve the resilience of the electricity network without unduly hindering the development of sustainable forestry.
