Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

IMPACT has provided one hell of a tool to fight the sale of Coillte. The witnesses have put together a brilliant argument which means that committee members who must deal with a variety of different issues have an excellent resource which we have been able to use to put the arguments across. The argument would not have such potential to win without IMPACT's help. It is right that everyone is heaping praise on IMPACT for what it has done, but I have seen situations where every Member of the Dáil agrees with a proposal which has not succeeded. Before being elected, I attended the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association whose presentation and proposals were so well received that we would have been carried out on the shoulders of members had the ceilings not been too low. Last week, however, I attended a court case in Kerry which shows that just because everyone agrees with one in Dáil Éireann, it does not mean that the right thing will be done. Hopefully, it will be different here. IMPACT has provided one hell of an argument. If democracy and presenting a good argument mean anything, Coillte cannot be sold. I am against the sale as, it appears, is everyone else. On that basis, it cannot be sold.

I have asked the following of every group which has attended the committee. There has been a review done by the Government of the forestry sector. We spoke to the saw-milling sector, the representatives of which said they were not asked for any input into the review. We spoke to foresters last week and, sadly and predictably, they were not asked for any input. Were the witnesses and their organisation asked for any input? I see shaking heads, which suggests that they were not. Who was asked for input? That might explain why the review has not been published. Perhaps, there is nothing in it given that no one was consulted.

The idea of reforming Coillte is essential. I am curious to know what the witnesses think is required to reform it. The saw-milling sector representatives made the point that while they were not in favour of Coillte being sold, certain criteria would have to be adhered to if it were. In other words, they wanted to ensure they would be guaranteed their supply. We all know what the downside to that is. I would not buy a car off someone who told me I could only use it one day a week and attached other preconditions. I might purchase it, but I would not give them the amount of money I would if I were allowed to use it all week. The witnesses will know where I am coming from. The reality is that if the preconditions necessary to guarantee the future of the saw-milling sector are imposed on any sale, the return will be even less. We would not even get a week's worth of interest on our credit card debt.

While reform is required in Coillte, my fear is that the necessity for reform will be used as a way to sell it by the back door. One fears even admitting the need for reform in those circumstances. It is like the situation where people come to rob one's house. At the front door someone speaks to you in a friendly way while there is someone else at the back door kicking it in. My worry is that while Coillte may not be sold via the front door, something may be going on to ensure that it is sold by the back door on the basis that everyone admits Coillte is not operating well. If it is not operating well, Government may insist that we cannot have it both ways and Coillte will be got rid of bit by bit.

Like other members, I have been contacted by many people on the issue. If someone robbed me, I would report it to the Garda Síochána. People have gone to Ballinasloe Garda station to report the fact and provide information which shows that Coillte is being defrauded.

Yet, Coillte will not report it. That alone suggests something should be done about it. I have since been contacted by Coillte and asked what was going on. I told them that they know the issue and I asked why Coillte did not go to the Garda Síochána. If that is going on, there needs to be one hell of a change. My fear is that the call for a change will be used to sell Coillte by the back door. I hope it does not happen. Well done, the witnesses have made our job so much easier. If democracy and logic mean anything and if the people who have come before the committee are listened to, it will not be sold. It is game over and it is time to start concentrating on the future, how to develop it and make the most of it as has been done in Switzerland and other countries.