Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
551. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the future and development of Donadea Forest Park in north Kildare with particular reference to the removal of entry fees to the park for local residents and schools to facilitate ease of access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25181/13]
View answer582. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the future and development of Donadea Forest Park in north Kildare with particular reference to the removal of entry fees to the park for local residents and schools to facilitate ease of access; if he is of the opinion that the estate and woodland therein will not be sold off as per a troika agreement entered into by his predecessors; if he is satisfied regarding the importance of the estate as an established amenity serving a whole area in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25781/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 582 together.
Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the State’s forestry estate, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised, in relation to entry fees, that, while pedestrian access is free, the company has no plans to remove entry fees for vehicular access to its forest parks. I am further advised that a fee of €5 per car applies for access to the forest park but that an annual access card can be purchased online for €40 for access to all forest parks on Coillte property. The company also advises that Coillte has facilitated local school events, decisions on which are made on a case by case basis.
I am aware of the importance of Donadea Forest Park as a recreational amenity in North Kildare. With reference to the Government decision, in the context of the asset disposal programme, that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be put forward for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department have examined 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. Public access to recreational land, and the protection of such access, was one of the issues so identified and considered. The overall analysis on the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights has been finalised, the outcome of which is currently being considered by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself. It will be brought to Government in due course for consideration.
