Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:190. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene in a forestry matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/24]
View answerThursday, 20 June 2024
Questions (190)
Written answers
Coillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988, and day-to-day operational matters, such as in relation to the Coillte Farm Partnership Scheme, are the responsibility of the company.The company has provided my Department with a general update on farm partnerships. Coillte has a portfolio of 638 farm partnerships across the country, accounting for over 12,500 ha of highly productive forests. The vast majority of these partnerships are working well and a number of them have been award-winning, including the RDS forestry awards for the sustainable management of their forests. All Coillte forests, including those involving farm partnerships, are certified as being well managed to both the FSC and PEFC forest management standards. Colllte has also advised my Department that it works with all its farm partners to resolve any issues they may have. In a small number of cases, farm partners have raised issues such as communication on operational activities as well as accessing information concerning their individual partnership agreements. In recent years, Coillte has worked hard to make tangible improvements in these areas to help allay the concerns of these farm partners.Notwithstanding this progress, there are a small number of farm partners who have invoked the arbitration clause in the farm partnership agreement. Arbitration is a private and confidential dispute resolution process, with confidentiality obligations on the parties and therefore Coillte is not in a position to comment in respect of such cases.Coillte has advised my Department that it is fully committed to all of its farm partners, and will continue to work to address all concerns and issues raised through active engagement with individual farm partners. Coillte is open to exploring alternative dispute mechanisms which may lead to an expedited and successful resolution for all parties involved, including mediation.
I am satisfied that any issues will be resolved in due course, through the appropriate channels, and that it should be left now to both partners in the agreements to resolve them together.