Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2013
232. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte, the impact, if any, that this will have on the people's millennium forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23145/13]
View answerThe People’s Millennium Forests Project was a flagship Millennium project sponsored by the National Millennium Committee and AIB and managed by Coillte in association with Woodlands of Ireland. This was the largest ever project directed at the expansion and enhancement of our native woodlands.
There were 16 sites involved in this project, 14 of which are in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland. The mission of the People’s Millennium Forests Project was to ensure that all future generations can enjoy the benefits of Ireland’s native forests. I am aware that 12 of the 16 sites involved in the People's Millennium Forest Project form part of the Coillte forest estate.
Further to the Government’s decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department have worked to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets. This examination included the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. The protection of the People's Millennium Forests was one such issue. The overall analysis on the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights is currently being finalised. As I advised last week, a report on the process to date will be considered by the Government shortly.
