Galway TDs welcome Govt. decision not to sell off Coillte forests

THE Government decision last week not to sell off the forestry harvesting rights of Coillte, has received cross-party support from TDs across Galway.

Fianna Fáil Agricultural Spokesman said that the proposal from day one was ‘a stupid one’ that would have had a devastating impact on both the timber industry and the growing rural recreation industry.

“This would have also been contrary to an integrated approach for the development of the forestry and ecology sector. There is now an enhanced opportunity to develop the use of the very valuable Coillte lands.

“This was the second ridiculous proposal from Government in relation to the sale of state assets that they have rowed back on. The first proposal was the plan to sell shares in ESB.

“This would have removed a basic level of infrastructure from public ownership. Undaunted, the Government came up with proposals in relation to Coillte – thankfully in this case they had to submit to the power of careful analysis,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that the Government should now ‘move on’ and stop wasting Oireachtas time on badly thought out proposals that hadn’t even received cursory examination.

Last week Public Expenditure Minister, Brendan Howlin, announced that ‘now was not the appropriate time’ for pressing ahead with plans to sell the harvesting rights of Coillte.

“Our due diligence has indicated that it is not prudent to go ahead and sell the trees in that way and it will not be happening. Instead we are having an evaluation of the future of Coillte,” said Deputy Howlin.

A report by economist Peter Bacon said the Coillte sale made no financial sense. A price of €1.3bn would be needed to make up for the loss of 80 years of profits, he said.

Labour Party TD for Galway West Derek Nolan has said that last week’s decision not to sell of harvesting rights on Irish forests showed that the public interest had been put first.

“This is an issue that Labour Deputies have been lobbying Minister Howlin on for a long time, and I am glad he has taken our views on board. I also know that the people of Galway will be relieved that their access to Coillte forests in the area will not be compromised, as they will remain in State ownership,” said Deputy Nolan.

West Galway Fine Gael TD Sean Kyne has also welcomed the decision not to proceed with the sale adding that it was made on the basis of a thorough analysis undertaken by NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department.

“As part of the process, a number of detailed financial, technical and other specialist reports were prepared in relation to Coillte, by external specialist consultancy bodies, in full consultation with the Board of Coillte and its executive management,” said Sean Kyne.

East Galway Fine Gael TD, Paul Connaughton jnr. has also welcomed the Government decision not to sell off the Coillte harvesting rights.

“I think that on balance this is a very good decision and wil protect the country’s forestry interests for generations to come,” said Deputy Connaughton.