Vol. 476 No. 7
376 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon, transferred from Coillte Teoranta to the National Parks Division of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. [7985/97]
The forest property at Lough Key was vested in Coillte Teoranta under the provisions of the Forestry Act, 1988, as part of the total forest estate previously managed directly by the State. This decision reflected the fact that the Louth Key property contained forests of considerable value which required careful silvicultural management and expertise and which was readily available in Coillte Teoranta. This silvicultural requirement has not changed in the interim and in the circumstances there are no plans to transfer the property on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Coillte Teoranta is, of course, aware that there are additional, important recreational benefits inherent in the Louth Key Forest Park which are greatly appreciated by the general public. It is, accordingly, the company's policy to maintain public access to this facility, with which I am in full agreement.
