Laois Council can't take risk of leaving dead tree risk with landowners insist public representatives

Laois County Council cannot leave it to landowners to remove dead Ash trees along roads and must get directly involved because of the dangers to the public.

That’s what was communicated to officials at a recent meeting in County Hall Portlaoise when the impact of Ash dieback was raised.

Teagasc says Ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees caused by the fungal pathogen. It was first detected in Ireland in 2012 and is now prevalent throughout most of the island. Teagasc says it is likely to cause the death of the majority of the ash trees over the next two decades.

Against this backdrop, councillors were clear in the view that the council must do more than rely on landowners to fell the trees given the costs involved and the risk faced.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, tabled a motion, calling for a survey of ash trees that are affected by the ash dieback where they are located near public roads.

“There are very serious concerns for pedestrians and motorists with the forthcoming winter season,” he said.

Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer Roads, replied in writing.

“Trees within private lands bounding the public road are the responsibility of the respective landowner who is to ensure that they do not present a risk to the travelling public. Where Ash dieback is present the tress should be monitored on an annual basis and interventions undertaken as required.

“Should instances of dieback in trees immediately adjacent to a public road become known to Laois County Council they will correspond with the relevant landowner in the normal fashion where potentially dangerous trees are encountered. 

“Laois County Council are currently preparing a Tree Management Policy for the county which will contain recommendations with regard to the management of Ash dieback,” he said.

But Cllr Bracken was not satisfied with this and wanted more action from the Council.

“I’m not happy with the reply,” he said.

He explained that tree felling can be costly and not everybody can afford it.

“We all know the cost of doing any work on the public road now…there is a huge cost involved. I feel the local authority should be able to address this where it is likely to cause a danger to the public,” he said.

Cllr Bracken said public money was spent controlling Japanese knotweed.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, endorsed to view that the council must get directly involved if for no other reason than that most landowners will not take action. He identified the cost of insurance for removal an obstacle to the public.

He added that the local authority cannot leave it up to landowners because of the danger rotten trees pose to the public.

“It is all too late until something goes wrong,” he insisted.

Cllr Seamus McDonald, Fianna Fáil, was also in favour of the council getting involved.

“The trees are all dead or dying on every road you travel. It’s a major issue and it costs too much money to landowners to do the work,” he said.

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The issue was raised at the September meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.