Cllr Healy’s “cautious welcome” for Ash Dieback scheme

NEWS of the new Ash Dieback compensation scheme for growers has been cautiously welcomed by Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Healy as being “too little too late and leaving the vast majority of infected ash trees in the country as a national hazard”.

He said, “Ash dieback has been in Europe for over 30 years and has been in Ireland since 2012. This government and its predecessors have completely failed to protect Ireland’s biodiversity despite the threat being well publicised. Whilst the scheme today allows for limited compensation for growers who are at a huge financial loss sometimes after 30 years of growing it does absolutely nothing for the wider problem.”

He said the biggest issue is the danger from the vast majority of ash trees in the country which are roadside trees and are going to be a huge hazard all over the country to road users, farmers, rail and households.

“We saw regular storms all year taking trees down at will and ash dieback is now at an advanced stage making these a massive issue. The government allowed this disease in and is taking no responsibility whatsoever to landowners affected.”

He said education and information was needed for all landowners to identify signs of ash dieback and then to diagnose the problem if it exists.

“To safely cut down a mature ash tree is a specialised job and we do not want landowners taking unnecessary risks. The Government has sat on their hands for the past 12 years and we need to act now for roadside trees. I will be bringing a motion to Sligo County Council on this at the nearest opportunity,” said.

He added: “We need to protect Ireland’s bio diversification and security to prevent other species being infected by imported diseases before we have a wider problem destroying the country.”