Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank our guests for their presentation. I wish to place on record the fact that my party completely supports their position. For many years we have taken a consistent approach in respect of the exploitation of Coillte harvesting rights for the benefit of the Irish people and those in the industry. The debate relating to this matter has been ongoing since it was first proposed that we should sell off the harvesting rights to Coillte lands in order to try to deal with the current economic crisis. Sinn Féin and others have been consistent in their opposition to such a sale. We are of the view that it is an extremely amateurish and negative way of allowing a national capital asset to be exploited by outside investors to the detriment of the Irish people and of producers and timber merchants such as our guests.

It was stated earlier that our guests are responsible for 2,500 direct jobs. What is the knock-on effect of those jobs? I am sure said effect is quite considerable, particularly in the context of the spending power created in the areas in which people are employed and the benefit this brings to local economies.

We understand the Government may be having second thoughts about proceeding with the initial proposal relating to this matter. We would like it to state definitively that it will not be selling off the harvesting rights to Coillte forests. The arguments put forward by our guests are valid and I completely concur with and support them. I am of the view that those from the Government parties who are present at this meeting should indicate their wholehearted support for our guests' position. Obviously, however, the members to whom I refer will speak for themselves when others have completed their contributions. It is imperative that we should retain the harvesting rights and protect Coillte, the sawmilling industry and the jobs of Irish people.

Our guests also referred to the rate of growth of trees in this country as compared with the position elsewhere in Europe and highlighted the opportunities for further investment in this regard. Will they elaborate further on that matter? Obviously they are referring to the planting of other areas and so forth. In many parts of the country where there is marginal land, the people who own it and who are struggling to survive could become involved in forestry. This would benefit the individuals to whom I refer and the communities in which they live. Such a development would also have a knock-on effect in terms of the amount of product being sold to the sawmills, etc.

I again thank our guests for their presentation. As stated, they have the wholehearted support of my party, and Deputy Ó Cuív also indicated the support of his party. I will be very interested to hear what Government Deputies have to say in respect of this matter.