Correct Decision taken not to sell Coillte harvesting Rights – Comiskey

Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Comiskey today (Thursday) welcomed the Government decision made at Cabinet yesterday not to proceed with the sale of Coillte’s harvesting rights.  

“Over the last few months, I together with my colleagues in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have dedicated a considerable amount of time in meeting with key stakeholders, including the Irish Timber Council, the Society of Irish Foresters and IMPACT, to discuss the implications of any proposed sale.

“Those discussions were very detailed and consideration was given to the impact which the proposed sale would have upon the timber industry, public access to recreational land, together with the environmental and social impact of any decision to sell.   Following consideration of these matters the Committee wrote formerly to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine stating that we were not “positively disposed” to the sale of Coillte’s harvesting rights.

“The Coillte forests are one of the most important environmental and social resources in the State.   Any disposal would have been likely to have had a negative impact upon rural Ireland, forest access and forest roads, with these potential consequences being disproportionate to any financial gain.

“In welcoming this announcement, I wish to equally welcome the decision by Minister Coveney to now shift the focus of the debate to the restructuring of Coillte.   I anticipate that that the Agriculture Committee will soon begin a process of debate on this matter with stakeholders, to gather a range of views on maximising the potential of the forestry sector.”