Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he can protect existing open access and recreational amenities on Coillte lands if he intends to sell the forest assets and have private operators manage the estates; his views on whether it is preferable to ensure that the resource is maintained for the benefit of the people. [55290/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, Coillte Board and management have been actively engaged in recent months with NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets.

The process is at an advanced stage and, aside from the valuation of the forestry assets, a number of issues have been identified in relation to the possible harvesting rights concession. These include, inter alia, the possible impact on the timber industry, implications for the company and levels of employment, environmental and social impacts, and public access to recreational land and the protection of the recreational amenities. These issues, and the measures, if necessary, to address them, require detailed consideration.

I am aware that Coillte’s forests provide a range of recreational opportunities for the general public continuing a long tradition of open access to state owned forests. I am also conscious that such recreational facilities are very valuable resources as tourism attractions in the various regions. In view of the importance of such recreational opportunities for citizens for ongoing recreation and for visitors during their stay in Ireland the issue of public access to recreational land forms part of the overall analysis.