Dangerous trees along national and secondary roads should be removed as a matter of urgency, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has claimed.
The farm body has called for a Government-funded national plan to identify and cut down trees that pose a risk to the public, particularly ash trees that have contracted ash dieback.
“Following the damage caused by Storm Darragh and taking account of the increased frequency of these serious storms, there is a need to urgently address dangerous trees - especially along roads,” said INHFA president Vincent Roddy.
“While all trees can pose a risk, there is a far higher risk associated with ash trees due to ash dieback,” he added.
Roddy said immediate action was needed to identify those roadside trees, especially ash, which pose the highest risk.
He called for a plan to be put in place nationally for the “safe removal” of these trees.
“While local authorities would be expected to lead on this plan, financial support is needed from Government,” the INHFA leader said.
“The strategy should start with national routes and motorways, then address regional routes, followed by all other roads,” Roddy maintained.
Strict timelines would need to be put in place for the assessment and later the removal of potentially dangerous trees.
“The plan should be ambitious and ideally completed by the end of 2026,” Roddy suggested.
Storm Darragh, which was categorised by meteorologists as an extratropical cyclone, was among the most severe storms to hit the country in recent years.
Gusts of up to 141km/hr were recorded on the west coast, with thousands of trees knocked as a result and electricity outages impacting 400,000 domestic users, businesses and farms.
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