Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the operation of car parks adjacent to their properties, are the responsibility of the company. Section 37 (1) of the Forestry Act 1988 provides that the Minister with responsibility for Coillte may at the request of the company or on his own behalf make bye-laws to regulate access to or use of any land owned, managed or used by the company. The bye-laws, namely the Forestry Act 1988 (Section 37) (Coillte Teoranta) Bye-laws 2009, made pursuant to that provision apply to those Coillte lands in respect of which a Notice of Application of Bye-laws has been posted in a visible location where the public might reasonably gain entrance to those lands. The bye-laws were made at the request of the company in order to address the problem of anti-social behaviour on Coillte lands.

The issue outlined by the Deputy was, however, raised with Coillte. The company advise that, under their Open Forest policy, access is permissive in nature only and that Coillte have to manage access mindful of risks such as anti-social behaviour after dark in winter. I am advised that the closing times can vary across their Business Area Units which includes County Wicklow and that closing times may change for seasonal reasons , for example, generally in winter they close around 4pm, but this could vary if there is a safety risk, and 9pm in the height of summer. The company further advise that, in some cases, they are dependent on the good will of an adjacent neighbour to close the barrier where the company does not have their own cover, so these times can be outside the norm in winter and summer. Coillte also advise that it works with local Gardaí where required to help manage traffic issues if they arise.