There have been calls for the Electricity Supply Amendment Bill to be completed without any further delay.
Local TD, Brendan Smith stressed that enhanced electricity resilience is essential to protect customers, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas
Deputy Smith said that placing forestry corridors on a statutory footing is critical, noting that people cannot be left without electricity in light of the increasingly severe and frequent weather events experienced in recent years.
He added that certainty is urgently needed for those living in areas deemed particularly vulnerable during storms and extreme weather events.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Smith said that the authorities need to take a "stern approach" to ensure that forests are not a threat to critical infrastructure.
He explained what should happen to forestry that is not properly maintained.
Deputy Smith said: "If they're not being properly maintained, then the local authority, Coillte, the ESB Networks, they should have the authority to go and do the work, and bill the owner for the work that is not being carried out.
"We cannot allow this situation to continue where innocent people are enduring undue hardship at different times due to fallen trees, due to unmaintained forests," Deputy Smith added.
