Written answers
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
Forestry Sector
9:00 pm
Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 571: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will release a record of the 1.2 million trees planted as part of the millennium project in 2000; and if those trees for which individual ownership was given to members of the public could be sold in the event of any sale of Coillte forestry. [15585/12]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The mission of the People's Millennium Forests Project was to ensure that all future generations can enjoy the benefits of Ireland's native forests. 16 sites were chosen throughout Ireland, 12 sites owned by Coillte, 2 owned by the Northern Ireland Forest Service, 1 owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and 1 owned by the Westmeath County Council.
The following is a record of the trees planted, by site, as part of that Project.
| Breakdown of Species Planted in the People's Millennium Forests | ||||||||||
| ('000 Plants) | ||||||||||
| Oak | Birch | Ash | Scots pine | Alder | Hazel | Cherry | Rowan | Yew | Total | |
| Ballygannon | 52.59 | 11.25 | 10.38 | 74.22 | 6% | |||||
| Camolin | 34.00 | 34.00 | 3% | |||||||
| Coill an Fhalaigh | 145.50 | 17.40 | 32.00 | 21.40 | 43.50 | 0.90 | 18.40 | 279.10 | 22% | |
| Cullentra | 2.00 | 43.00 | 10.00 | 6.10 | 0.20 | 1.60 | 62.90 | 5% | ||
| Derrygill | 68.20 | 9.50 | 1.40 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 4.00 | 88.10 | 7% | ||
| Derrygorry | 82.40 | 9.05 | 17.15 | 12.20 | 12.20 | 0.10 | 133.10 | 11% | ||
| Glengarra | 48.00 | 3.00 | 6.00 | 3.50 | 60.50 | 5% | ||||
| Lacca | 22.05 | 10.20 | 5.25 | 0.70 | 38.20 | 3% | ||||
| Portlick | 9.50 | 3.54 | 19.60 | 0.10 | 32.74 | 3% | ||||
| Rosacroonaloo | 7.80 | 2.00 | 5.00 | 14.80 | 1% | |||||
| Rosturra | 148.40 | 16.10 | 32.70 | 5.00 | 6.10 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 212.30 | 17% | |
| Shelton (2 sites) | 85.95 | 10.20 | 35.00 | 18.60 | 0.60 | 150.35 | 12% | |||
| Tourmackeady | 34.00 | 13.00 | 19.30 | 18.00 | 3.00 | 87.30 | 7% | |||
| 740.39 | 138.04 | 167.35 | 90.23 | 101.00 | 1.80 | 1.10 | 27.00 | 0.70 | 1,267.61 | 100% |
As the Deputy can see, over 1.2 million trees were planted as part of the Project.
One element of the Project was the "Household Tree Scheme" whereby each household in Ireland had a native tree planted at one of the 13 sites of the 14 sites in the Republic of Ireland. The 14th site was exclusively for the protection of a unique native yew wood in Killarney. While a certificate was issued to each household in relation to the "Household Tree Scheme", it did not confer legal ownership of the tree to that household. The context in which the trees were planted is that they would be part of a woodland community that would remain in place in perpetuity. People were invited to participate in the People's Millennium Forests Project by visiting the forests and to enjoy the ever-changing natural environment of native woodland with its associated flora and wildlife.
I am aware that 12 of the 16 sites involved in the Peoples Millennium Forest Project form part of the Coillte forest estate. As recently announced by the Government, consideration will be given to the possible sale of some assets of Coillte excluding the sale of land. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the valuation process is completed. As I have indicated previously, the protection of the People's Millennium Forests is one of the issues to be considered in the decision-making process in relation to the possible sale of Coillte assets.
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