We have one of the lowest percentages of forest cover in Europe (and it’s mostly Sitka spruce, though broadleaf trees now make up 20 per cent of new planting) though we’re supposed to be increasing from the current 7 per cent to 17 per cent cover by 2030. What we do have is owned and operated by Coillte. Two summers ago, the McCarthy (An Bord Snip Nua) report suggested a combination of asset disposal and privatisation of Coillte. Coillte was valued at e1.2bn in 2010, and, according to the Woodland League, a Swiss owned forestry company, The International Forestry Fund, has expressed interest in buying the lot. The chairman of the International Forestry Fund is Bertie Ahern, and his involvement, and the proposed sale, were well covered by the good old Sunday Tribune last year. Last month, the eTenders public procurement website carried a notice inviting tenders from economists to evaluate the assets of Coillte, so clearly it’s been decided that the maths have to be right before any further negotiations kick off.
The Woodland League is asking people to sign a petition against the proposed sale. But what would it mean for Irish forests if they were to be managed privately? When will we find out what’s going to happen to Coillte? At the moment, they have an Open Forest Policy, which means mile upon mile of hiking, cycling, dog-walking, orienteering, picnicking, birdwatching, swimming, tree-climbing, kayaking, canoeing, mushroom-spotting, all open to everyone. Could that really be threatened?
Sunday, March 6th, is the start of National Tree Week, so if you fancy willow-weaving, archery, den building and face painting down at Parnell’s house at Avondale in Rathdrum, get out and enjoy yourselves courtesy of Coillte. Leave no trace – as it says at the entrance to Avondale: leave only footprints, take only memories. Fingers crossed you’ll have the chance to be back again.
Anthea McTeirnan
Croí na Duibhlinn
Aoife Barry
Aoife McLysaght
Arlene Hunt
Attracta McCarthy-McKenna
clairehennessy
Ann Cronin
Amanda Brown
Eleanor Fitzsimons
Edel Coffey
Anna Carey
Lauren Murphy
Jennie Ridyard
Jude Leavy
Hazel Katherine Larkin
Léan Ní Chuilleanáin
Leigh
Lisa McInerney
Laura Slattery
Maman Poulet
Megan McGurk
Clare Kleinedler
Molly
Rosita Boland
Catherine Crichton
Sinéad Gleeson
sarahefranklin
siobhandowling
Susan Daly
theantiroom
Nuala Ní Chonchúir
It’s been in the back of my mind for a while that the man who planted all those trees in our memorial to the passing of a millennium would want a return on his investment.
Luckily you’re more informed than I .
Petition we shall.
frank
Thanks for writing about this, Antonia. It’s so depressing and so important that people object to this now before this scheme gets developed any further.
We’re lucky enough to live a few miles from Gougane Barra and its wonderful forests and trails here in West Cork. This summer we’ll have to pay Coillte €30 for the privilege of buying a key fob to retain access to the best areas of the park (not easily accessible otherwise with small children in tow).
I don’t object to contributing towards the upkeep of amenities and trails but the quiet way these kinds of restrictions on the use of woodland are being introduced needs to be challenged.
How much access does €30 buy you – 3 months?
At Avondale, in Rathdrum, there’s no charge most of the year, but it’s a fiver a pop in the summer months. I don’t mind paying this – it’s going to the upkeep coffers, fine – but I’d object to paying a private company maximising profit.
Gougane Barra is a beautiful spot.
It should always remembered that Coillte owns their substantial land bank on behalf of the people of Ireland – we own it. Much of this land was acquired by the Forestry Commission (the forerunner of Coillte) at very cheap rates from small, mostly hill farmers. We paid for it as the taxpayers.
I think I am also correct in saying that the Forestry Commission (Coillte) also benefited considerably from the Land Commission whose task was to manage the break up and re allocation of many of the large estates after the foundation of the State. Again the land was acquired at no or nominal cost. There are many small woodlands previously attached to the estates that are now owned by Coillte and managed largely as recreational areas. A good example of this would be Oaklands or Kelly’s Wood on the outskirts of New Ross in Co.Wexford with its icehouse and limekiln and many forest tracks. All set in a lovely mixed wood above the River Barrow. Close to the town – a great asset for people wishing to exercise etc. But you could also see a site like this being of prime interest to future developers for hotel/ golf course development and the like. This always invariably leads to the loss of public access.
So although, Coillte operates as a commercial semi state company, remember – we own the land. So long as a reckless goverment doesn’t decide to flog it off.
Yes I was thinking that as I was walking up in Carrickgollogan the other day, how attractive anything within spitting distance of a town or city would be for development.