Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Food, Martin Kenny TD, is calling on the Department of Agriculture to grant an exemption to farmers and landowners to cut trees and hedges where they pose a threat to safety, the ESB network and communications network.

Teacta Kenny said:

“We all saw the devastation caused by Storm Eowyn and the thousands of families that were left without electricity, water, and phone service for weeks. One of the main factors for these outages was trees falling on power lines and blocking access to power lines.

“Electricity, water, and phone networks are critical infrastructure and, as such, need to be protected.

“As we approach the March 1st deadline for hedge cutting and tree felling, I am asking for the Department of Agriculture to grant an exemption to farmers and landowners to fell trees and cut hedges that pose a threat to safety and to critical infrastructure, particularly the ESB Network, the Communications Network, and the Water Network.

“I understand that it is important to protect birds and wildlife during the nesting season from March 1st to September 1st, however, I believe it is just as important to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone and ensure that they have access to light, heat, and water.

“I would urge government and the Department of Agriculture to take this suggestion on board.”