The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 environmental groups, is calling for new measures to control ash dieback disease and limit the “very serious economic and environmental problems resulting from its introduction to Ireland”.
Ash dieback is a fungal disease that kills ash trees. It spread to Ireland when infected ashes were imported from other parts of Europe in 2011 and has now been identified in 22 locations in 10 counties.
Andrew St Ledger, spokesman for the Environmental Pillar, said the disease“is a very serious threat to our native ash trees” and would affect the supply of ash for making hurleys and for fuel.