A Leitrim Councillor is calling for every support to be given to demands by the ESB for a 55 Metre cutback area from power lines to be established in forestry plantations.

At present the requirement is for a 20 metre corridor which was introduced following severe and damaging storms last year.

ESB officials informed Councillors in Leitrim at a meeting yesterday that 30-40% of damages to their infrastructure locally was due to trees falling on lines.

They also confirmed that 80,000 poles nationwide will need to be replaced.

Leitrim Fianna Fail Councillor Mary Bohan wants the new legislation regarding how close trees can be planted to powerlines to be implemented as soon as possible: