Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss Forestry Policy and Strategy with Coillte

The meeting will hear from Ms Bernie Gray, Chair of Coillte; Ms Imelda Hurley, Chief Executive; and Mr Mark Carlin, Managing Director, Coillte Forest.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “Coillte is the semi-state body responsible for the management Ireland’s existing State-owned forests. The Committee welcomes this opportunity engage with Ms Gray and her colleagues on Coillte’s strategic plans and policy for forestry plantation in the coming decades.

“Issues the Committee would like to discuss include afforestation targets and the goal of developing 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050, Coillte’s agreement with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Gresham House, Coillte’s response to the Climate Action Plan, and concerns among farmers and people in rural Ireland about these and related matters.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.