Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Further to the Government's decision that the harvesting rights to Coillte's forests be considered for sale, at the Government's request the National Treasury Management Agency, through its NewERA unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in recent months to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction. Evidence gathered from similar transactions completed in other jurisdictions indicates that a transaction could be structured in such a manner as to ensure the maintenance of the open forest policy, reflecting public access to recreational land, the preservation of existing replanting obligations and the incorporation of biodiversity requirements. This process has also included engagement with potential acquirers of harvesting rights when requested by them in accordance with the published Government protocol. The two Departments and NewERA have also met interested stakeholders to discuss their positions on the sale of harvesting rights.

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