Residents dealing with power outages during storms are relying on 100-year-old legislation to protect their electricity service. As Wexford prepares for another winter of being battered by storms and flooding events, Fine Gael councillor Robbie Staples has called for the passing of a Bill which would give the ESB more power to protect homes during high winds.
The proposed Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to grant ESB Networks stronger statutory powers for vegetation management and forestry corridors. However, 18 months on from first being proposed, the Bill has yet to be published.
“We were told the Bill was approved well over a year ago. Meanwhile, families in Wexford are still losing power for weeks at a time when trees come down on lines. That’s not good enough,” Cllr Staples said.
The ESB currently relies on Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927 to cut trees and hedges obstructing lines. This requires case-by-case agreement with landowners.
“Every winter we wait, we’re gambling with people’s electricity supply. This Bill needs to be published and passed before the next storm hits, not after,” continued Cllr Staples. “We can’t be expected to face into another winter relying on outdated 1927 legislation to keep the lights on.”
Cllr Robbie Staples said he would continue to press the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment to publish the Bill without delay, so that ESB Networks has the statutory powers it needs ahead of this winter.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.