Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 309: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the use to which land under Coillte control would be put if the forestry is sold, in view of the fact that the company, as a State body, cannot access EU grants to replant. [7405/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As advised to the Deputy in my reply on 31March 2011, in relation to the immature forests sold to forestry investment funds to date, the sale agreements confer rights on the purchaser to harvest timber at maturity while Coillte retains ownership of the land. In order to preserve the forest estate, apart from exceptional circumstances, my Department's policy is that replanting should take place on all areas harvested.

It is important to note that there is currently no grant assistance available for either the private sector or State bodies such as Coillte for the replanting of forests following the commercial felling of trees.