‘It's of no help to farmers in rural Ireland’ - Leitrim councillors slam minister's response

It has long been an issue in Leitrim and the dangers posed by trees affected by ash dieback were raised once again at council level this week.
Councillors were not impressed by a response from Minister Michael Healy Rae, who stated that under Section 70 of Roads Act, 1993, maintenance of roadside trees, hedges and other vegetation is the responsibility of the landowners/ occupiers on whose land they are growing.
A statement from the minister said that under the law, the care and management of ash trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner and that they "are not and do not become a danger to the public road or interfere with the safe use of the maintenance of a public road."

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The statement went on to say that landowners are responsible for "felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of any such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation in question and that landowners should make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and any obligation arising from this".
The implementation of the legislation of the management of removal of dangerous roadside trees is the responsibility of the local authority and that "should a potential hazard or risk be identified, remedial action will be required."
The statement concluded: "My department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside or hedgerow trees but has published guidance on the subject of removal of roadside trees".

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Cllr Enda Stenson said that this was "no reply at all" and "what he's saying is that it's the farmers' responsibility but farmers are not in a position to remove those trees", adding that a "man could have 20 of them along the road". He understood that it cost up to €1,200 to remove a tree.
"I'm disappointed with the reply. There is no new information in that and it's of no help to farmers in rural Ireland."
Cllr Sean McGowan supported Cllr Stenson and said the ash dieback was a "huge problem" and said that "landowners need to be financially supported to deal with this" adding, "that's a pathetic reply". Cllr Paddy Farrell said that the Hedge Cutting Grant is "very small" and said that in his view, it should be increased.