COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor P. Foley

"That the Chief Executive report that as we approach the final stages of the 2015 tree removal / pruning programme it would appear that some of the more difficult tasks may have been left to the end of the year. Can details be given on how this council co-ordinates with the ESB when their involvement is required for the pruning or removal of a tree? Could specific reference be made to the two cases below where there is a requirement for the ESB's involvement before tree removals take place? **Details provided."

REPORT:

Within the area under the remit of this Committee, there are approximately 60 trees on the 2015 Tree Maintenance Programme which require the assistance of the ESB to enable completion of the required pruning or removal works.  In the past, the ESB facilitated such tree works by arranging power switchouts to allow Council staff to complete the works.  Previously power switchouts were facilitated at no cost to the Council but since 2014, the ESB have sought to charge for this arrangement.  Given the geographic distribution and the nos. of trees on the current programme that occur in proximity to ESB wires, the cost of arranging switchouts to enable works to be completed on these trees is prohibitive.  In addition, the ESB is obliged to prioritise minimising disruption of its electricity service to its customers.  In instances where tree maintenance works are carried out on trees in proximity to live wires, this is high risk activity requiring specialised insulated equipment and such works must be carried out by highly skilled arborists with specialist training in utility arboriculture.  Council staff are not in a position to carry out tree maintenance works where trees may come into conflict with live wires. 

Having regard for the above issues and in order to address commitments for tree pruning and removals on the Council's 2015 Tree Maintenance Programme, the Council has met with ESB area management for the South Dublin area on a number of occasions over the past months.  The ESB has agreed a joint approach with the Council to enable completion of tree pruning and removal works where they occur within or under ESB wires and a listing of trees has been submitted to the ESB where this assistance is required.  The list includes the removal of trees at the two locations specified in the Motion and progress is now being made in completing works on trees listed.