Power lines and storm damage
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae argues that storm-related power cuts are harming rural services and farming and says trees should be cut back from power lines. The Chair reminds him of the topic, and the Minister replies that restoration work is ongoing but will take time because many faults must be located pole by pole.
The Government aspires to provide services for the elderly, vulnerable and people with disabilities and to protect the incomes of farmers and SMEs. However, services were disrupted this week, and are still disrupted, where people have no power because of trees falling onto lines.
Comment on this
This is promised legislation. All these things apply. Farmers' incomes are being seriously affected this week by the lack of power to milk their cows. It is all because of trees falling onto the lines. It is common sense that the trees must be cut back to a distance that ensures that they will not fall on the power lines. Will the Minister do something about this to prevent it happening again? It is costing the country millions of euro.
Comment on this
This was raised by the Deputy earlier in the week and there was an indication from the Taoiseach as to the capacity of local authorities to plan work in this area. There could not be more effort being put into restoring power at the moment, but as Seán Hogan indicated this morning, some of these breakages involving going to each pole and identifying the fault. That can take greater time, and that is one of the constraints that people are working under. Even with 4,000 people in the field to carry out repairs it will take time to get to all of the breakages.