Mr. Gerry Britchfield:

As regards what rural recreation projects Coillte is developing, one of the key things we are focusing on is the wilderness area in the Nephin mountain range. We see that as a great opportunity to build a new type of tourism attraction for the west of Ireland. We are working closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Mayo County Council to bring that project to fruition.

We hosted a wilderness conference in Westport earlier this year, which was attended by 40 or 50 people, including pre-eminent experts in wilderness development across Europe. We see that as being a good way of attracting a different type of tourist to Ireland - people who want to get away completely from the urban world.

We have a policy of working closely with local authorities. The one I instanced is Cavan County Council, which wants to develop a geo-park in the Cavan Burren.

It is a UNESCO recognised site. We are working with the organisation to develop an interpretative centre and trail facilities on the site. Over time, this could be an anchor tourism facility for that part of the world. We are open to working with county councils and other agencies which have significant ideas for the tourism sector to help bring them to fruition. We see Coillte’s land as playing a key role in the development of rural recreation facilities.