Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this extremely important topic. I welcome the comments of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, given the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte has created much concern in the community and has been contentious, with many concerned about different aspects of such a sale and the knock-on effect to society in general. However, the point should be made that the proposal only involves the sale of the timber, not the land. This is very important. From what I know of Coillte, its business is in planting trees, harvesting them and selling them on - that is how it has always done its business. I know that if one sows a crop, the only way to make money out of it is to harvest it. The reality is we must deal with that situation.

Nonetheless, I accept there is a wider picture. Like many others, I hope there will be guarantees to re-plant the land from which the trees will be harvested. When communities have been looking at a wooded area for 25 or 30 years, it causes concern when, all of a sudden, the forest is razed to the ground. We should certainly take that on board.

The forests are an amenity in themselves. Deputy Wallace is probably aware of the constituency I represent. The Barrow valley is wooded on both sides as far as St. Mullins, which is getting towards Deputy Wallace's constituency. Part of that woodland has not been cut down for centuries and, if we were to cut it down or alter it, this would have a significant effect on what is one of the most protected views in the whole of Europe.

The forests also have an economic value, not just in the value of the trees, but in the tourism market we hope to attract. However, in times of economic difficulty, we must examine more ways of generating much needed income. It is the job of this Government to look constantly for new ways of redressing the gaps in our finances. Most importantly, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, made a commitment in the House last night that this will only happen if it makes economic sense, which should allay some of the fears people may have.

Guarantees regarding continued public access to the forests, with further commitments to the upkeep of the amenities, have been made by the Minister. Woods and forests that are harvested will be replanted. It has always been the policy that in order to maintain the forests we have, full replanting takes place when an area has been cleared through felling. There will also be specified volume limits for harvesting and guarantees as to the continuity of supply of timber to the markets here, which rely on it. The only trees being targeted are evergreen, non-hardwood trees. These trees do grow very quickly in Ireland. I believe they grow here at double the pace they grow anywhere else. Should the area be re-sown after harvesting, these trees would cover the land very quickly once again. The Government has made commitments not to do anything that will undermine or significantly damage the timber industry or sawmill sector in this country and that position remains unchanged.

If I were to give a personal story about woodlands and community, it would be that of Silaire Wood in Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny.

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