Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion

Mr. John Murray:

Historically, Coillte was the primary supplier to our log supply market. Over the last number of years, that has started to change with the private coming on stream. Coillte would still be a monopoly supplier into our market, in and around the 70% mark. Coillte's position in the market that we have to deal with is quite substantial. We do not see why Coillte has to get involved in this. We do not see the benefits of it. Certainly from the point of view of new forests, it is minor. From the point of view of buying existing forestry, we do not see any benefit apart from Coillte enhancing its position in the market. We see that as being only good for Coillte and for no one else.