14 Feb 2012, 18:07
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today heard a detailed briefing on the potential of forests from Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In a wide-ranging address the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry outlined its positive economic, environmental and recreational impacts.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “We thank the Minister for a forthright address on unleashing the benefits of forestry for the nation. In turbulent economic times, there was broad support for the Minister’s assertion that investment in forestry was a ‘safe bet’ as an investment. Committee Members praised the Minister for his maintenance of funding for afforestation close to 2011 levels.
“In a comprehensive questions and answers session, the environmental benefits of forestry were highlighted, such as the role of forestry in curbing climate change and fostering energy independence. A number of Committee Members referred in particular to the potential of biomass to reduce Ireland’s dependency on oil imports.
“Committee Members believed that lessons should learned from the 2011 gorse fires in a number of counties. There was a strong current of opinion from Members that prudent vegetation management, such as allowing sheepgrazing, could decrease the risk of fires.
“As the largest landowner in the State, the opportunity presented by Coillte forests for domestic and international tourism was also explored. Committee Members raised the related issue of maintaining clean forests and are encouraged that Minister McEntee shares their strong desire to eradicate littering.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan