Statement from Andrew Doyle, TD on the Dail Committee Hearings on the Proposed Sale of Coillte Harvesting Rights.
As Chairman of the Dail All-Party Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issues around the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights at the Dail All Party Committee Hearings with representatives of the industry, Coillte and government Departments.
“These hearings are essential to bring to the public the implications of the sale of a national asset such as the timber harvest on Coillte lands and to give them an opportunity to comment.”
Since its foundation in 1989 under the Forestry Act, Coillte has been the steward of the public forest and lands which were granted to it from the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Minister with the mandate to undertake commercial management of the national forest estate. The proposed sale of harvesting rights on Coillte public land has a profound impact on the national forest estate and timber production, whether over a short or long term period.
Andrew Doyle welcomed Coillte Chairman designate, Brendan McKenna who presided over the transition of the company from one heavily dependent on the domestic market to one which now derives 80% of its revenue from exports. This transition was achieved largely through Coillte’s successful development of new and innovative products from the wood fibre mills after the 2008 collapse of the domestic construction market for timber.
The Committee was informed that Coillte was asked by the Minister to produce a report on the proposed sale of long leases -from 50 to 80 years (2062 – 2092), for timber production and harvest on Coillte lands.
The issues of the future of Coillte, the leasing arrangements, job losses, recreational access and the input of Coillte on the decision making process, were all raised by Committee members, as well as the security of supply of timber to Irish processors.
Coillte’s Chairman gave replies on some of these issues. He informed the Committee that it is not intended to sell the land, just the timber production; the durations and terms of leases are still to be determined; that mineral and gravel rights are still the property of the State; The future role of Coillte has not yet been determined and that it could have a role in the supervision and management of the leased estates. The Chairman stressed the need for a secure supply of timber, and investment for the board mills.
After the meeting, Andrew Doyle said that the proposed sale of the timber production side of Coillte, on 10% of the land area of Ireland, raised many complex issues. Agreeing that new investment in forestry was needed, Deputy Doyle stressed that any large-scale privatisation of the national forestry estate would have to be properly evaluated and discussed, with full transparency on cost benefit to the State and the people of Ireland and the implications for the future of the forestry resource.
The Committee will also raise other issues of concern including:
- the marketing of the timber from leased forests and the need for security of supply for board mills;
- the need for the security of supply of timber from leased forests to the growing community wood heat energy sector which will also make a major contribution to reduction of the national bill for imported oil and gas;
- the retention of the carbon value of the leased forests by the State to lower the national carbon tax bill -Trees absorb 1 ton of CO2 per m3 of growth (Edinburgh UNECE/FAO, State Centre for Carbon Management). The Committee has already prepared a report on forestry and carbon offsets;
- The alternative sources of funding for planting new stock which needs to be around 15,000 ha per annum, if shorter timber production leases are recommended and incentives for planting broadleaf trees.
- the supervision and regulation of sustainable forest management and public access.
- community participation in local forest management.
- Impact of leasing on employment in forestry
Andrew Doyle added “Given the complexity of the local and national issues around leasing timber production and harvesting rights to forestry on public land, a step-by step approach would prevent the mistakes created by the sale of other public assets. At present, these Committee Hearings are the only means of enquiry into the debate taking place on the proposed sale and the Committee intend to forward a report to the Minister as part of his review process. Any arrangements agreed and made will be hard to change and could last 30 to 80 years to the time of my grandchildren or great-grandchildren. It is essential to get it right for their sake.”
Contact: Alfred Hickey M’Sichili – Political Party Staff (Policy), 01 618 3611