Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will be aware of a situation in Riverstick, County Cork, where a large section of publicly-owned forestry is for sale by Coillte.

Ballymartle Woods is an incredibly important local amenity and biodiverse environment that is used by the community for recreation and by schools for education. A group of residents showed me the beautiful mature mixed forest on Monday. There is considerable local opposition to the sale and at a time when the State needs to drastically increase its afforestation, it is unbelievable that a large section of this wood or any other woodland would be on the market.

There is a pressing need for the Government to have a stronger role in cases such as this. Can the Taoiseach assure the residents of Riverstick and Belgooly that the Government will protect Ballymartle Woods and others?

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