In the wake of the recent spate of storms, Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has raised concerns about the implications of current forestry legislation on public infrastructure in Ireland. Cooney is set to bring these concerns to the forefront during a discussion in the Dáil on February 26, with a particular emphasis on the issue of setback distances in forestry management.
The crux of Cooney’s argument lies in the restrictive nature of existing forestry legislation, which he contends has played a significant role in exacerbating power outages during adverse weather conditions. The issue became particularly pronounced during Storm Éowyn, which led to widespread power failures and infrastructural damage across the country.
The storms have not only disrupted public roads and utilities but have also posed major challenges for power companies. According to Cooney, the existing legal requirements governing forestry operations, particularly those relating to the proximity of trees to essential infrastructure like powerlines, are partly to blame for these disruptions. By revisiting and potentially amending these legislative frameworks, Cooney anticipates that similar issues can be mitigated in future storm events.
The recent battering of storms has cast a spotlight on the need for effective management of forestry setbacks. These policies, which define the safe distances between tall vegetation and power infrastructure, are pivotal in preventing trees from coming into contact with or falling onto powerlines—a common cause of power outages during severe storms.
Cooney asserts that the rigidity of these regulations has hindered proactive management, leading to vulnerabilities that become glaringly obvious during extreme weather. The inadequate setback distances, compounded by regulatory constraints, create scenarios where trees too close to power infrastructure result in catastrophic power failures when toppled by high winds.
With the aim of driving substantive change, Cooney calls for an urgent review of the Forestry Standards Manual by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He stresses that any comprehensive review should prominently feature an examination of setback distances, specifically in relation to overhead powerlines.
To address this exigent issue, one of the key proposals Cooney advocates is the introduction of a distinct felling license application system exclusively for the management of setback distances. Such a system, he argues, would enable more responsive and flexible interventions, allowing authorities and landowners to mitigate risks to power infrastructure swiftly and efficiently.
Moreover, by tailoring the application and approval process to prioritize the safeguarding of public utilities, Cooney believes this could streamline efforts in trimming trees that pose a danger to powerlines. This, in turn, would reduce the likelihood of power outages and the consequential disturbances to everyday life that accompany them.
The ramifications of these power outages have been felt intensely, particularly in County Clare. As one of the regions hardest hit, with numerous communities experiencing extended periods without electricity, the necessity for legislative reevaluation is underscored. The geographic extent and severity of the impact in County Clare provide a potent reminder of the urgent need to revisit and adapt forestry practices to better serve the changing environmental and infrastructural landscape.
Ultimately, Cooney’s initiative aims to spark a dialogue that encourages not only a reconsideration of outdated policies but also promotes innovative solutions to enhance Ireland’s resilience against future storms. By addressing issues of setback distances and challenging existing bureaucratic frameworks, Cooney hopes that Ireland can pave the way toward a more secure and reliable infrastructure in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events.
