Dangerous roadside trees and flooding
Deputy Healy-Rae called for action on overgrown roadside trees, blocked drains and flooded roads, arguing road safety was a programme for Government priority. The Taoiseach said the issue lay mainly with local authorities and would ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to follow it up with councils.
Road safety for all users is an important part of the programme for Government. However, trees are growing out of control along every roadside and leaves are falling into and blocking drains.
Landowners and farmers should get assistance to clear these trees because clearly it is not safe for anyone to go out on the road to cut trees or clear the sides of the roads.
Comment on this
It is in the programme for Government. It relates to safety for all road users, and we cannot achieve that. We saw what happened last Monday. Moreover, whole rivers are flowing onto roads in times of flood because the rivers have not been cleaned out. I call on the Taoiseach to address these important road safety issues to ensure the safety of all our road users.
Comment on this
This is an important issue but it is principally an issue for local authorities, or councils. As I indicated yesterday, I will ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to take it up with county and city chief executives as part of his regular engagement with them to see what can be done to remove potentially dangerous trees.