Agriculture Committee to discuss proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights

1 May 2013

The ITC, who represent the country's ten sawmills, are expected to argue that the sale of harvesting rights places the future of their industry at risk.

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “The future of forestry in Ireland is a key component of this Committee’s work programme. The proposed sale of harvesting rights in Coillte forests has been the subject of considerable public debate in recent months. Both Ministers Coveney and Howlin have acknowledged that this is a complex issue and a range of options are currently being considered.   Through a series of meetings, the Committee will provide a forum for stakeholders to debate the implications of any proposed sale. In doing so, the hearings will contribute to more informed public debate in advance of any final decisions being made.

“In carefully considering the matter, Committee Members are working to safeguard the sustainability of the state’s forests, in a manner which recognises their social and environmental benefits. There may also be commercial implications from any sale of the harvesting rights. The meeting with the Irish Timber Council tomorrow is a valuable opportunity to assess the potential impact of any proposed sale on the country’s sawmills.”

Prior to meeting the ITC, the Committee will consider COM (2013) 133 with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  

Deputy Doyle continues: “COM (2013) 133 is an important EU legislative proposal relating to maritime spatial planning, the main of objective of which is to promote the sustainable growth of maritime and coastal activities. However, concern may exist over the extent to which the directive complies with principle of subsidiarity. Department officials will assist Committee Members in deciding whether this area of competence might be better dealt with at Member State, as opposed to EU, level.”

The meeting commences with engagement on COM(2013) 133 at 9:30 am tomorrow Thursday 2 May in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, and can be viewed online here.  

Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926

paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership

Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chair)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chair)
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent

Senators:
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour