Ash Dieback has rendered 5,000 acres in Tipperary 'useless' - Michael Lowry

Valuable land, including 2,000 hectares, or just under 5,000 acres in Tipperary, has been rendered useless because of Ash Dieback, according to Tipperary TD Michael Lowry.

“I have raised the issue of Ash Dieback on numerous occasions in the past. This perilous disease hit Ireland in 2012 and now 80% of our 123-million ash trees are dead or dying” Deputy Michael Lowry told the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, during Priority Question in the Dail.

“Valuable land, including 2,000ha in Tipperary, has been rendered useless. Plant and animals have been wiped out and livelihoods have been seriously eroded.

“Common sense dictates that the lands should be cleared. It is a logical and sensible move that more than 6,000 landowners across the country should be compensated for this calamity and permitted to clear and reuse their land and return it to productive use.

"Grant aid is available, but so is the requirement to obtain a Felling Licence. These licences are not available as Ireland currently has no Forestry Scheme in place.

“Landowners are angry and frustrated. Their hands are tied and their pleas are unheard. Reality must prevail on this matter. These trees are have decayed. Landowners must be legally permitted to fell them”, Deputy Lowry said.

The Minister for Agriculture, Deputy McConalogue, responded that there is an Interim Reconstitution Scheme which has improved terms and conditions and improved supports from the outgoing scheme.