Forestry Act, 1946

Removal or destruction of vegetation on land adjoining woods.

62.—(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that a wood is liable to be damaged by fire originating on uncultivated land adjoining such wood, by reason of the presence thereon of vegetation,—

(a) the Minister may serve on the occupier (if any) of the said land a notice in writing stating that such vegetation constitutes a potential danger to the said wood and should be removed or sufficiently destroyed within thirty days after such service;

(b) if—

(i) the said land is unoccupied, or

(ii) the said land being occupied and a notice under paragraph (a) of this subsection having been served on the occupier thereof, the occupier does not comply therewith,

the Minister may authorise in writing any person to enter on the said land and remove or destroy any vegetation growing on the part of the said land lying within a distance of one hundred and fifty feet from the boundary of the said wood during any specified period, not exceeding three months.

(2) Any person may, notwithstanding the provisions of section 28 of the Game Preservation Act, 1930 (No. 11 of 1930), remove or destroy vegetation growing on any land which lies within a distance of one hundred and fifty feet of any wood without obtaining the permission in writing of the Superintendent of the Gárda Síochána for the district, if such removal or destruction is done pursuant to a notice relating to such land served under subsection (1) of this section or in accordance with an authority in that behalf given under the said subsection.

(3) Any person entering on land under an authority given by the Minister under this section shall, if so required by the occupier (if any), produce his authority, and, if any person obstructs any person so authorised in the due exercise of his powers or duties under this section, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.