Ash dieback has been mentioned at council meetings previously and the dangers it presents to the general public, road users and property. In recent years the changing weather patterns have added to this problem with increasing numbers of storms and high winds. When these storms strike, dead and infected roadside trees coming down has become more common. When this happens, services have to react, be it clearing the roads, redirecting traffic, repairing downed powerlines etc. and more often than not while the conditions are still unfavourable. We need the support of the government to be more proactive on this issue and identify the dangers and address them when it is safer for all to do so.

I am asking Roscommon County Council to contact the Government requesting financial support to Identify, safely remove and replace where possible, dead, dangerous and infected roadside trees

Roadside Tree Survey to identify dead, dangerous and infected tree. Ash Dieback has been mentioned at council meetings previously and the dangers it presents to the general public, road users and property. In recent years the changing weather patterns have added to this problem with increasing numbers of storms and high winds. When these storms strike, dead and infected roadside trees coming down has become more common. When this happens, services have to react, be it clearing the roads, redirecting traffic, repairing downed powerlines etc. and more often than not while the conditions are still unfavourable. We need the support of the government to be more proactive on this issue and identify the dangers and address them when it is safer for all to do so.  I am asking Roscommon County Council to contact the Government requesting financial support to Identify, safely remove and replace where possible, dead, dangerous and infected roadside trees.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the owner. The 1993 Roads Act place a statutory obligation on landowners and occupiers to ensure roadside structures, trees, shrubs or other vegetation do not present a danger to those using and working on public roads. Under the law, landowners are liable for any damage caused by their trees. The Council can serve a notice requiring a landowner to take the necessary steps to address any hazards. In the event that the Council, as the road authority, has to take action it may recover the costs incurred by it from the landowner.  Dealing with large dangerous roadside trees is a difficult and expensive undertaking. The Council agrees that a national approach and response is required and agrees with the Notice of Motion to write to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request that a scheme be put in place to provide financial support to landowners to deal with this issue.  Currently there is no such specific funding from the Department.  However, the Department has published guidance on the subject of roadside trees, in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland, “A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees” which provides guidance to landowners on how to manage roadside trees and to assess risk associated with trees and describes common defects including dieback, unstable leans, splits and cracks, decay and cavities.  Roscommon County Council is currently drafting a County Tree Management Policy.  The Policy will also offer guidance and encouragement to landowners to manage their roadside trees in a responsible manner.

Members supported the motion and raised the following points:

• The query was raised as to who is responsible for a tree between the land boundaries.
• The Local Authority and farmers should not be carrying the cost and it should be the responsibility of the Department.
• It was suggested that funding assistance should be offered as an incentive for landowners, and the Council should contact the Department and include it in the Emergency Plan.
• It was suggested to make an amendment to the motion that the proposal is circulated to other Local Authorities.
• Cllr. Scahill agreed to amend the motion and proposed that Roscommon is put forward as a pilot scheme.

Director of Services, Greg O’Donnell, responded to the query raised and advised that the Local Authority is responsible for road safety. He noted that it’s not possible to know the condition of every tree. He suggested carrying out research to prepare a process for dealing with trees in poor condition as to when they should be taken down.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Scahill

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Department seeking funding for a Roadside Tree Survey to identify dead, dangerous and infected trees, and that Roscommon be put forward as a pilot for a national scheme.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Scahill

It was AGREED that the proposal is circulated to other Local Authorities.