ICMSA question proposal to give ESB even more powers over others’ lands

The President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, has said that farmers will be ‘moving to high alert’ following reports that ESB Networks are seeking even more powers in relation to land use and access as their response to the mass outages caused by trees falling on power lines during Storm Eowyn.

While completely understanding and supportive of the need for a reappraisal of the system following the much-publicised breakdown and very much delayed reconnections in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, Mr. Drennan said that it seemed odd  “and more than a little contradictory” that the response would be that the body deemed most at fault for that failure would simply ask for – and be given – even more licence and authority over the very system widely accepted as demonstrably not-fit-for-purpose.   

Mr. Drennan said the idea that an obvious system-breakdown such as we saw in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn could be repaired by reducing people’s property rights further was fanciful. He said that it was most disappointing that the Government has not consulted ICMSA on this matter when the association had itself suggested greater collaboration between farmers and the ESB to resolve issues. Mr. Drennan noted that in a recent survey, almost 90% of responding ICMSA members believed that they should be better utilised during storm events to ensure issues are dealt with in a timely fashion.  

“While ‘Forestry corridors’ through plantations can be and should be addressed through existing legislation and schemes, there’s going to be a lot of interest and eyebrows-raised at the reports that the ESB is seeking wider powers to cut trees and hedgerows near power lines.  The ESB already has those powers.  The problem is not the lack of powers, it’s the lack of action that we see where farmers and other landowners contact their local ESB office and report trees growing too close to poles or lines. This is exactly the point that ICMSA made in the immediate aftermath of the most recent storm: it’s simply not possible or credible to expect the ESB to have crews ready to zip out to every overhanging tree from Donegal to Dunmanway and from Clondalkin to Connemara.   It’s not a question of more powers; it’s a question of whether it’s even possible and we think that it is not”, said the ICMSA President.

“That’s why we suggested that the ESB actually go the other way on this and work with farmers to do the basic hedgerow maintenance with the ESB only being contacted for specific cases where their expertise is needed.  That would make a lot more sense, but instead they seem to be taking more powers back into that central system that we have to say – and we get no pleasure from this – just was seen to not work during Storm Eowyn.  The ESB doesn’t need more centralised powers; it needs more ‘eyes and ears’ monitoring the growth around power lines and the condition of the poles in exactly those rural areas that were hit hardest in the recent storms”, continued Mr. Drennan.

The ICMSA President urged the ministers responsible to look again at possible responses to what was undoubtedly an urgent issue.  He called on the ESB to work collaboratively with farmers rather than considering additional legislation that will be utilised against farmers.

“There’s no room for confusion on this: ESB Networks need to have a proper system of engaging with landowners, especially against a background where many farmers have had very bad experiences with ESB Networks over the years.  We need a clear system of communication and we need to work collaboratively to resolve the issues, not legislation.”

Mr. Drennan concluded by saying that the answer to maintaining local power lines is much more likely to be local monitoring than giving ESB Networks even more swingeing powers than they already have – which they have used to ‘ride roughshod’ over many farmers in very many instances.   

“As always farmers are willing and happy to play our part in the necessary efforts to address the aftermath of Storm Eowyn and to prepare for the next extreme weather event. But we won’t be walked on in terms of unnecessary and unfair legislation”, concluded Mr. Drennan.

Ends        9 April 2025

Denis Drennan, 086-8389401

President, ICMSA.

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office