Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the commitment to keep all Coillte lands in public ownership in the Programme for Government and the claim on Coillte's website that land is available for sale; the steps the Government has taken to ensure that Coillte land is not sold or privatised during the life of this Government. [2182/24]
View answer272. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of Coillte's advertised policy on the sale and leasing of public land; how much land has been sold or leased since he became Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2183/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together.
In addition to supporting the delivery of climate change commitments and the protection of biodiversity, Coillte's remit in relation to the national forest estate includes the retention of commercial forests in public ownership.
Coillte may sell land in certain specific instances, including for the facilitation of neighbours, local communities and businesses, and to support national objectives such as tourism, recreation and infrastructure projects. This is part of its day-to-day operational activity, and is in support of its primary forestry objectives.
The Coillte excision policy, along with excision and acquisition lists for 2022, can be found on the Coillte website (www.coillte.ie/land/). I have asked Coillte to reply directly to the Deputy with information on how much land has been sold or leased by Coillte since I became Minister.
