2 DFómh 2012, 18:09
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine heard Coillte representatives discuss the future direction of the forestry industry in Ireland, with particular reference to the government decision to sell the harvesting rights to Coillte forests for a period of 50 to 80 years.
2 October 2012
David Gunning, Chief Executive and Gerry Egan, Group Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs, addressed the Committee on the current position of what they described as Ireland’s largest natural resources company. Mr Gunning reported the profit after tax in 2011 of €19.9m was driven primarily from strong log prices in Ireland and improved prices for panel products in the UK and other export markets.
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “There was general agreement among Committee Members that Coillte encapsulated much of what a state company should be. The company returned a significant dividend to the state and retained a strong focus on the social and environmental dimension. Coillte was widely commended for its investment in rural recreation, including hiking and mountain bike trails.
“There was broad support among Committee Members for the current approach being taken by Coillte, which has performed strongly in recent years based on the twin pillars of innovation and sustainability. The company adapted well to the fall in domestic demand for construction material. Production has remained at 2006 levels, due to a dramatic increase in exports to the UK and continental Europe in particular.”
“A lengthy discussion then followed around the government decision on 26 June to, in principle, sell the harvesting rights to Coillte forests for a period of 50 to 80 years. The concerns of a number of Committee Members were clearly articulated. We heard Coillte representatives explain that they were intensely consulted in the lead in to the government decision. Coillte are currently involved in depth discussion with New ERA, with seven core issues around the sale of the rights being analysed.
“Our Committee intends to carefully examine the implications and permutations as the decision is implemented with other stakeholders such as the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Agriculture, to ensure that the state’s forests will continue to be managed in a sustainable manner. We will consider the issue recognising the social and environmental dimension, ensuring state forests are accessible to the entire population and with an eye on their role in achieving EU emissions targets through renewable energy and carbon sequestration.”
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 on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
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