27 Jan 2014, 12:11
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will tomorrow continue its hearings on the Forestry Bill with key stakeholders.
27 January 2014
Representatives from the Environmental Pillar, a coalition of environmental groups, the Irish Farmers' Association and the Irish Timber Growers' Association will address the Committee.
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 Committee hosted a series of hearings on the proposed sale of Coillte's harvesting rights last year, with the aim of providing a space for key stakeholders to debate the implications of any proposed sale. The decision by Government not to proceed with the sale was warmly welcomed by Committee Members and we resolved to maintain our engagement with stakeholders to contribute to more informed public debate on the future of our forests.
\"With the Forestry Bill scheduled for Committee stage debate shortly, the Committee is undertaking a series of hearings with key stakeholders on how this important legislation can be optimised for the benefit of both stakeholders and the wider public. Having already met with the Irish Timber Council and the Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association, tomorrow's discussions with the Environmental Pillar, the Irish Farmers' Association and Irish Timber Growers' Association will inform the Committee’s consideration of a Bill which seeks to ensure our forests are sustainably developed into the future.\"
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 27 January at 2pm in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
View Committee Membership.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926