Like many parts of the country, there were severe power outages in Leitrim following Storm Isha. While most parts of the country had power restored in a day or two, some parts of Leitrim, particularly around Ballinamore, Cloone, Fenagh and much of south Leitrim, did not see power restored for six to seven days because of the complete neglect of maintenance and adherence to proper planning in our forests. We have planting beside power lines and under power lines, with sally trees toppling over and taking down the wires. There is complete chaos. ESB crews came from Scotland to assist at huge cost. I hear that some got lost in the forest trying to find power lines, and when they located them, the set-aside was overrun with briars and it was almost impossible to access. Forestry companies are planting and walking away without due care and diligence, and the situation will only get worse. We need to ensure tree removal up to 30 m from power lines and all associated works, and when that is done, we need to hold the companies to account financially.

I agree with the Deputy that the forestry companies have a real responsibility and a legal obligation, subject to the conditions of licensing, to protect the area alongside power lines so they are not at risk from trees falling. If there is any specific instance that the Deputy might be able to report, that would be very useful. It should not be tolerated and it needs to change.

I would make a wider point. There is a real issue in south Leitrim, north Leitrim and Roscommon. The nature of the forestry system we were developing was too intense in some areas, where communities rightly felt crowded out. We were sometimes planting non-diverse, single-crop, clear-fell species when we needed to go towards a more nature-based system of continuous cover. We need to clear for power lines but we also need to switch the forestry model.