TD outlines 'disproportionate' impact of wildfires on landowners
A Louth TD has highlighted to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon the 'disproportionate impact' wildfires can have on landowners and rural communities.
Minister Heydon was questioned in the Dáil yesterday (Thursday, May 14) in relation to the actions being taken to prevent wildfires across the country as the summer looms.
Louth TD for Fine Gael, Paula Butterly, who brought this issue to the minister's attention, said it is about ensuring that "those who act responsibly are not left to carry the consequences of those who do not".
She highlighted that in her constituency, "even a small number of fires can have a disproportionate impact.
"We have a landscape that is very close to our communities and our communities are very close to their landscape and their nature.
"It is actively farmed and widely used for recreation", she underlined.
Strain on resources
The Louth TD highlighted incidents in places like the Cooley Mountains where "multiple gorse fires have broken out in a matter of hours."
She said these instances have "stretched the local fire services and threatened homes, farmland and forestry."
She alluded to a "pattern" of incidents where fires "are not accidental but started deliberately and it is the landowner who tends to have to bear the burden of the financial cost".
Deputy Butterly explained that there are "issues where people come on to land and set fire to bales of hay during the year and then disappear."
"There is a perception in Louth that the financial and emotional burden can be unfair on landowners even when they have no role in causing the fire" she stated.
"We clearly need a more balanced approach."
Minister's response
Minister Heydon stressed the use of preventative measures in relation to combatting wildfires and said they should be discussed before "it is too late and the damage has affected our landscape, wildlife, and farmers."
"It comes back a little to the relationship between landowners in the area and members of the public who maybe live in a more urban setting and love to share that amenity."
The minister outlined the 'Be Summer Ready' campaign, as an important 'whole-of-government' approach in this regard.
Minister Heydon said: "Farmers are well aware, as custodians of the land, of what needs to be done, what their responsibilities are and what the penalties are if they are acting on the wrong side of the law".
"The public have to be acutely aware their actions have very real consequences.
"A lot of this is about communication and ensuring we communicate very clearly the risks and hazards people might not be as aware of, how quickly these fires can take off".
The minister agreed that fires can "have a disproportionate effect on an area".
He stated: "It is important to recognise landowners may carry out controlled fires on uncultivated land from September 1 each year to the last day of February.
"This is only allowed if it is done in a controlled manner and provided the landowner follows the correct safety procedures."
Minister Heydon noted that controlled burning is "probably something that happens less now, for a variety of reasons".
"Farmers are older, there is less generational renewal on our hill farms and it is work for younger farmers.
"But if that scrub and uncultivated land is not cleared it can be a tinderbox at a dry time of the year," he explained.
Wildfire alert
The minister went on to note how he was "struck" by the official fire danger notice that was issued recently.
"This had been necessary after the wettest winter we have had, a very wet early spring and before we are even really in the summer.
"It goes to show how quickly, with climate change, our land can dry with a very drying wind and the risk that creates for the high-risk period we are in," the minister said.
He explained that the issuing of the notice is "about enforcement of very clear rules where there is bad practice, but also about supporting people so they are aware of the rules and what they can do in that important period".
Department approach
Minister Heydon also said the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) implements "a number of measures annually to raise awareness of fire risks among forest owners, managers, farmers and other land managers".
He explained how DAFM monitors fire risk throughout the fire season "in conjunction with Met Éireann and communicates high-risk fire weather phases in advance to the forest sector and other relevant stakeholders, including local authorities via fire danger notices."
"This enables preparedness and readiness of key equipment and personnel ahead of fire outbreaks."
In the year to date, the minister said DAFM has issued two such notices. In 2025, the department issued nine fire danger notices.
DAFM also co-ordinates on fire management with the EU and other member states via the European forest fire expert group and also via the FORRISK forest risk facility coordinated by the European Forest Institute.
Minister Heydon added: "It is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land not cultivated between March 1 and August 31 in any year.
"Landowners found burning illegally could face fines, imprisonment and single farm payment penalties, where applicable.
"Fires on agricultural land are investigated in relation to basic payments, or BISS, eligibility," he said.
However the minister outlined that DAFM has "no role in prosecutions under the Wildlife Act 1976".
