Michael Healy-Rae
Kerry · Independent · Ireland
“This motion is timely because, with the massive increases for people running their homes and businesses, people who are working have never been at more of a disadvantage because of the high cost of going to work, childcare and fuel. What we need is a more targeted approach by the Government.”
“In County Kerry alone, the number of businesses that are closing weekly is frightening. These businesses are owned by people who have been in business for many years, who are very much valued in our communities and who create local employment, but they are closing their doors. It can be small shops, public houses or gift stores.”
“We should be doing more about providing our own energy, and doing more in a forward-thinking way to try to ensure that these types of measures will help us to reduce the cost of energy.”
“However, at the end of the day, the people that we always have to consider are people on low incomes, people who are working and people who are struggling. We have to try to help them in every way we can through targeted approaches. We have to look at the bigger picture, like the high cost of fuel and the tax take on fuel.”
“I sincerely thank Deputy Charles Ward for bringing forward this important motion. It is a reasonable motion. I acknowledge the work that has been done by people from the Government and the Opposition in securing the situation with IS 465:2026. Large sums of money have been put forward to help the affected families.”
“I urge the Government to outline its position on the EU lead ammunition proposal. This is the proposal to take lead out of ammunition, which could have a negative effect on 150,000 licensed shotgun owners in Ireland.”
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“The programme for Government recognises that farmers are not a problem; they are the solution. I mean that. They are the solution for our environment into the future. We must remember the farmers are the custodians of the environment. They are the people that cherish our small family farms. I was privileged today to have been with 300 or 400 students in UCD who were having their careers day. Some 40 or 50 employers were in UCD eyeing up the talent. The talent that was in UCD today will be the CEOs of the future. They are going to be the leaders of industry and agriculture in the future. There are 4,000 people working in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have no doubt that many of the young students I met today will be working with the Department.”
“The fact that the means test is going to be completely looked at in a positive way in addressing that anomaly where people were not getting the full recognition for the excellent service they were giving in taking care of their loved relatives in their own homes. The best place for any person to be is in their own home. The programme for Government recognises that. Whether it is in education, agriculture, industry or infrastructure, we are committed with this programme to help the people of Ireland in a positive way. Industries such as tourism, foreign direct investment, business and keeping small businesses open are all important. I will touch on small businesses again shortly. From an agricultural point of view, we have to work with the farmers.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the programme for Government. The programme is a great working document for the next five years. The Government is deeply committed to doing its level best in a very workperson-like way to help all sectors of society. My brother, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, and I were glad to have participated in those negotiations. I thank the spokespersons from both of the leading parties for the genuine commitment they gave, including long days and long nights, to put together a good programme. I believe it is a good programme for Government. There will be Exchequer returns that will be positive. Maybe for the first time in a long time, we will be able to make decisions. For example, I am glad about the decision relating to carers. There is nothing more important than people who take care of people in their homes.”
“Everybody put their shoulders to the wheel on this occasion. They put themselves in danger in many instances while working in very difficult conditions throughout the country. We owe them all a big debt of gratitude for their excellent work.”
“The people in his constituency can be assured that they are well represented by him on this important issue. I appreciate that there is afforestation in his constituency. It is important to recognise that because afforestation is welcome but there are concerns about it in his constituency, particularly given what has happened during the recent storms. I am confident that the forestry windblow task force will help to ensure that a co-ordinated response to deal with the affected forests will be rolled out as soon as possible. I again thank the emergency services, the people who had to go out late at night and early in the morning, whether they were working for the ESB or the local authorities, those working in our hospitals, those working with Eircom and all the county council workers.”
“I thank the Deputy and agree with his last statements. I again thank him for raising this Topical Issue. It is important that we let the people of the country know exactly what we are doing. I further confirm that this morning I visited counties Meath and Monaghan to see some of the devastation at first hand. I came back this evening and reported to the Minister, Deputy Heydon, what we had seen on the ground. He is raising the issue at Cabinet level and every effort will be made by this Government for the people in forestry and horticulture who have been affected. We in the Department will do our level best and will not be found wanting. We will put our shoulders to the wheel and will work together. I take on board everything that Deputy Feighan has said.”
“This assessment of damage nationally using satellite imagery will aid in determining the extent of damage and will provide a map indicating where in each forest damage from the recent storms has occurred. This deals directly with an issue that was raised by the Deputy. This information will help to inform any next steps. We have already decided to prioritise both felling and road licence applications that are required in storm-affected areas. We have to ensure the licences that will be issued are robust and free from any challenge. My Department has also issued guidance for forest owners with wind blow who are advised not to rush into decisions but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of their plantation.”
“Contact has already been made with the ESB and we will aim to facilitate any mitigations or actions proposed by them in relation to the interaction of power lines and forestry. In this connection I held a meeting of the forestry wind-blow task force, which comprises key stakeholders including the IFA, Irish Forest Owners, IFO, and Coillte. The aim of the task force is to co-ordinate the response to the storms, with particular emphasis on dealing safely with the large areas of forest that have been blown down. The question of the interaction of forestry with power lines will also be considered in this forum. In terms of our immediate response to the storm damage, my Department has started a process along with Coillte, using satellite imagery, which will be able to provide information nationally and at forest level.”
“There are, however, long-standing forest design requirements in place to protect the electricity network where it interacts with forestry land, at different scales of supply, and the protection of utilities is considered and applied during afforestation approval processes. Section 7 of the Forestry Standards Manual provides guidance on how to deal with ESB lines interacting with grant-aided forest areas. This guidance was based on an agreement between the ESB and the IFA, which defined corridor widths by power line type and other requirements regarding access. These requirements are outlined in the Forestry Standards Manual. One of the actions for my Department in the programme for Government is to work together with the ESB to support and accelerate the timber and vegetation clearance programme and I am fully committed to this process.”
“First, let me highlight the legislative powers in relation to power lines, which reside under section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. These allow the ESB and its representatives, taking due care and attention to avoid unnecessary damage, to lop or cut any trees, shrubs or hedges which obstruct or interfere with laying or maintenance of electrical wires. Such works are a matter between the ESB and anyone acting on their behalf, and the landowners in question, and do not require a felling licence from my Department. There are no express provisions in the Forestry Act 2014 or in forestry regulations governing the interaction between ESB power lines and afforestation.”
“I acknowledge that Deputy Feighan has worn a path to Agriculture House on behalf of the constituents of Sligo-Leitrim and that he has worked diligently in highlighting the concerns he has on the ground following on from the recent storms. We are taking all possible steps to facilitate appropriate responses to allow forest owners to clear blown trees in a safe and sustainable manner. In this context I thank the Deputy for his Topical Issue matter, which is appropriate. I appreciate this opportunity to provide an overview on the current situation regarding the setback of trees from power lines and to elaborate on my Department’s response to Storm Éowyn.”
“This will provide me with an opportunity to hear directly from growers on the impacts of the storm on their sectors and on wider sectoral issues and opportunities. I look forward to this engagement very much. Finally, I thank the people in County Kerry, the ESB, the local authorities and all of the other agencies for their help.”
“Just this morning, I met with the Connolly family on their mushroom farm in County Monaghan to witness for myself the effect the storm had on their business, which is substantial. I thank them again for hosting my officials and me this morning. My Department and I will continue to engage with Teagasc and the other stakeholders to get a full handle on the extent of the damage throughout the country. I will meet with representatives of the horticultural subsectors at a meeting of the horticultural industry forum on 11 February. This meeting was not actually due to be held until the end of the month but, due to the seriousness of the situation, I instructed that it be brought forward to next week.”
“One of the actions for my Department in the programme for Government is to work with the ESB to support and accelerate the timber and vegetation clearance programme. I am fully committed to this process. Contact has already been made with the ESB and we will aim to facilitate any mitigations or actions it proposes with regard to the interaction of power lines and forestry. This morning, I engaged with forestry owners on the ground in County Meath to see for myself the damage and devastation caused by windblow. I thank the Farrelly family for hosting my officials and me on their land. I look forward to working with all stakeholders and am absolutely committed to addressing the seriousness of the situation we now face. I am aware of reports of significant damage to the horticultural sector.”
“Yesterday, I held a meeting of the forestry windblow task force, which comprises key stakeholders including forest owners, forestry companies, Teagasc and Coillte. The aim of the task force is to co-ordinate the response to the storms with particular emphasis on dealing safely with the large areas of forest that have been blown down. I am pleased to say that it was a very positive and collaborative meeting. Everyone's priority is to help those forestry owners who were badly affected by Storm Éowyn. We have scheduled another meeting for early next week to monitor progress, to offer practical advice and to help affected forest owners. The task force will address the interaction of forestry with power lines.”
“This assessment of damage nationally using satellite imagery will aid in determining the extent of damage and will provide a map indicating where damage from the recent storms has occurred in each forest. This information will help to inform any next steps. We have already decided to prioritise applications for felling and road licences that are required in storm-affected areas. I assure the House that we are taking all possible steps to facilitate an appropriate response to allow forest owners to clear blown trees in a safe and sustainable manner. Forest owners subject to windblow require a felling licence as trees will still need to be cut, harvested and removed. I am committed to making this process as efficient and fast as possible for our forest owners.”
“It is important that forest owners realise that, although their forests have suffered windblow damage, there may well be significant value to be realised from the fallen trees. I urge private forest owners to consult with forestry professionals in Teagasc or with a professional forester who can help them to take the right course of action. I also recommend that owners look into the possibility of co-operating with adjacent forest owners. Lower recovery costs can be achieved and higher prices offered where forest owners achieve economies of scale by working together in these situations. With regard to our immediate response to the storm damage, along with Coillte, my Department, along with Coillte, has started a process using satellite imagery to provide information nationally at forest level.”
“The recent storms have caused significant damage to farms and forests, which has resulted in considerable hardship throughout the country. I appreciate this opportunity to provide an overview of the current situation and to update the House on my Department's response to Storm Éowyn. Large numbers of forests throughout the country have fallen trees. Once the storm hit, I immediately issued guidance for those forest owners with windblow. I advised them not to rush into decisions but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and to maximise the salvage value of their plantations. I encourage all forest owners who experienced wind damage in their forests to familiarise themselves with the guidance issued.”