Sale of 80 Years of Forest Harvesting Rights is Effectively the Privatisation of Irish Forests
Sale of Coillte harvesting rights should be based on social and environmental, as well as economic considerations.
Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Councillor Malcolm Noonan today commented on the Dáil debate of the sale of Coillte harvesting rights: "The Government needs to take a long-term view of how our forests and forest policy should evolve. The sale of two generations worth of harvesting rights is at best short-sighted and is effectively the sale of Irish land. This Government is only looking at quick economic benefits from our forests and must recognise the social and environmental gains.
"A move towards a sustainable forest management would be innovative and progressive in managing Irish forests for long term economic returns as well as much improved ecological and amenity values. This has been proven in other countries to have a long term economic, social and environmental return.
"We take a long-view of how our forests and forestry policy could evolve over time. A move from short term monoculture crop harvesting towards continuous cover mixed forestry could help us sustainably manage our forests. Green Party policy offers a unique and progressive approach; advancing a long term vision based on key knowledge, practice and research from Europe, for Irish forests.
"There now exists a very real opportunity for the State to engage with all stakeholders that keeps public ownership of our forests rather than for a select few. We should have forestry policy in place that meets the needs of future generations, generates sustainable employment and recreational opportunities."
ENDS