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Agriculture Committee engages in wide-ranging discussion with Coillte representatives

2 October 2012

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine heard Coillte representatives discuss the future direction of the forestry industry in Ireland, with particular reference to the government decision to sell the harvesting rights to Coillte forests for a period of 50 to 80 years.

David Gunning, Chief Executive and Gerry Egan, Group Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs, addressed the Committee on the current position of what they described as Ireland’s largest natural resources company. Mr Gunning reported the profit after tax in 2011 of €19.9m was driven primarily from strong log prices in Ireland and improved prices for panel products in the UK and other export markets.

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “There was general agreement among Committee Members that Coillte encapsulated much of what a state company should be. The company returned a significant dividend to the state and retained a strong focus on the social and environmental dimension. Coillte was widely commended for its investment in rural recreation, including hiking and mountain bike trails.

“There was broad support among Committee Members for the current approach being taken by Coillte, which has performed strongly in recent years based on the twin pillars of innovation and sustainability. The company adapted well to the fall in domestic demand for construction material. Production has remained at 2006 levels, due to a dramatic increase in exports to the UK and continental Europe in particular.”

“A lengthy discussion then followed around the government decision on 26 June to, in principle, sell the harvesting rights to Coillte forests for a period of 50 to 80 years. The concerns of a number of Committee Members were clearly articulated. We heard Coillte representatives explain that they were intensely consulted in the lead in to the government decision. Coillte are currently involved in depth discussion with New ERA, with seven core issues around the sale of the rights being analysed.

“Our Committee intends to carefully examine the implications and permutations as the decision is implemented with other stakeholders such as the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Agriculture, to ensure that the state’s forests will continue to be managed in a sustainable manner. We will consider the issue recognising the social and environmental dimension, ensuring state forests are accessible to the entire population and with an eye on their role in achieving EU emissions targets through renewable energy and carbon sequestration.”

26th September 2012

Doyle stresses need to retain existing service for Route 2 Passengers

Responding to the impact on the people of East & South Wicklow of the proposed changes to Route 2 Bus Eireann service between Dublin & Rosslare, Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle, for Wicklow & East Carlow, has confirmed that he is to meet with the management of Bus Eireann, where he intends to highlight the extent of the disruption that would result from the proposed changes to the current service. He has also confirmed that he is seeking a meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the same.

“I am fully aware of the concerns that have been expressed by those who rely on this service and wish to continue to avail of it. There are two major issues of concern; the proposed discontinuation of a regular stop at St. Vincents hospital and the scrapping of all essential stops between Arklow and Kilmacanogue.”

“I have written to Bus Eireann regarding the St. Vincents stop and proposed a compromise position which will involve a continuation of some service provision during non- rush hour traffic times. This which will enable Route 2 to remain commercially viable while allowing many of our sick, frail, disable, and old people to continue availing of an essential public service with as little disruption as possible.”

The possibility that the service may not provide a stop between Arklow and Kilmacanogue is equally worrying especially for people from East & South Wicklow. “This is something I intend to highlight during the meeting with the management of Bus Eireann.”

Deputy Doyle also raised the role of the NTA regarding the proposed changes.

“The NTA are the body responsible for monitoring the operations of all transport providers, both public and private. As such they must ensure that the public are properly serviced by these carriers and insist on a comprehensive service being delivered. This can be done by putting in place Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that specify Routes provided, scheduling, and the number of locations & stops. It is high time that the NTA take action in this case, as this goes to the heart of the matter. It seems that open competition between Bus Eireann and two private operators has resulted in a dangerous virtual race to the Airport with little or no consideration for the most vulnerable in our society dependent on the provision of a much needed public service. This is a typical example of unregulated competition at its worst.”