In light of over 40 trees falling during Storm Darragh, damaging power lines and leaving homes and businesses without power for days, I propose this Council writes to Nicholas Tarrant, MD of ESB Networks, and Keith Leonard, Head of the National Emergency Coordination Group. They should ensure compliance with wayleaves and exclusion zones near overhead powerlines, requiring forestry owners to meet clearance standards. ESB Networks should take pre-emptive measures ahead of storms to prevent similar outages. Additionally, compliance with the DAFM Standards for Felling & Restoration near public roads must be enforced to prevent road safety hazards during extreme weather.

Reply: This Motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Moylan made the following points:

·         This motion is very appropriate in light of the recent storm as most damage was caused by fallen trees and could have been avoided.

·         Forest site lines need to be pushed back far enough from power lines.

·         People are being encouraged to build houses which rely fully on electricity and our infrastructure is not ready for this.

·         This motion should be distributed to all Local Authorities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Moylan

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to write to Nicholas Tarrant, MD of ESB Networks, and Keith Leonard, Head of the National Emergency Coordination Group and distributed to all Local Authorities.

In light of over 40 trees falling during Storm Darragh, damaging power lines and leaving homes andbusinesses without power for days, I propose this Council writes to Nicholas Tarrant, MD of ESBNetworks, and Keith Leonard, Head of the National Emergency Coordination Group. They shouldensure compliance with wayleaves and exclusion zones near overhead powerlines, requiring forestry owners to meet clearance standards. ESB Networks should take pre-emptive measuresahead of storms to prevent similar outages. Additionally, compliance with the DAFM Standards forFelling & Restoration near public  roads must be enforced to prevent road safety hazards duringextreme weather.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Moylan made the following points:

·        This motion is very appropriate in light of the recent storm as most damage was caused by fallen trees and could have been avoided.

·        Forest site lines need to be pushed back far enough from power lines.

·        People are being encouraged to build houses which rely fully on electricity and our infrastructure is not ready for this.

·        This motion should be distributed to all Local Authorities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Moylan

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to write to Nicholas Tarrant, MD of ESB Networks, and Keith Leonard, Head of the National Emergency Coordination Group and distributed to all Local Authorities.