Debate contribution: Tree Protection Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Justin McNulty on 21 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Justin McNulty
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 21 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Tree Protection Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5742797

Text

I speak in favour of the Bill's Second Stage. It seeks to strengthen protections for trees in the North. The Bill's three main facets aim to bolster the protections offered by tree preservation orders, create a heritage tree designation to protect old and significant trees and legally protect ancient woodland. I acknowledge the Alliance Member for bringing the Bill to the House, but I must point out that there is no mention of fairy trees in it. I hope that that can be addressed as the legislation progresses; otherwise, the little folk might be offended. Fairy trees are deeply rooted in Irish mythology and folklore. The Aos sí
, the fairy people and descendants of the Tuath Dé Danann
were said to retreat underground and inhabit fairy forts, burial mounds and the bases of fairy trees. Those trees were believed to protect the land, and disturbing them could bring bad luck, misfortune or even death. The hawthorn, in particular, is associated with Bealtaine
, the Celtic festival marking the start of summer, when the boundary between the worlds is thought to thin. The tradition is to avoid cutting or damaging fairy trees, often by ploughing around them in fields or rerouting roads to preserve them. Planning has even been refused in order to protect fairy trees. Offerings such as ribbons, coins or small trinkets are sometimes left at the base of fairy trees to honour the fairies and seek blessings. If you are passing by a fairy tree, be sure to leave an offering in honour of the little folk.
If there is not, there should be.
"I think that I shall never see A poem [so beautiful] as a tree."
As I said to the Bill sponsor when he was bringing the draft legislation through the consultation phase, I am a bit of a tree lover. That might be a surprise to you all. Trees offer beauty, serenity and vast ecological benefits. Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide from the air, with older trees absorbing much more carbon than younger trees, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. One tree alone can provide a home for hundreds of creatures, from birds and butterflies to fungi and mice. With biodiversity plummeting, it is vital to promote trees as a safe haven for those creatures to thrive. Trees also provide immense health benefits, providing us with shade, cleaning our air and giving us beautiful nature and a peaceful and calming environment in which to escape the hustle and bustle of the world and take a break from our worries. Only 17% of adults in the North say that they have green space within a five-minute walk from home: that must change. The Bill is a positive step towards increasing access to green space, protecting wildlife and biodiversity, mitigating climate change and protecting old and ancient trees and forests from being cut down. It is important to ensure that the Bill does not impose an undue burden on badly needed development and has a reasonableness clause. There must be avenues for common-sense discussions on how those needs can co-exist, which, I trust, will be further discussed as the Bill progresses through the Assembly. The SDLP supports the passing of the Bill at Second Stage and on to further debate and scrutiny. On the subject of trees, I must mention that, in 2020, I planted two oak saplings to commemorate the year of the passing of John Hume and Séamus Mallon. Yesterday, I stood between those two native Irish trees. They are becoming giant oaks like the men whom they were planted to commemorate.

602 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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