COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2013

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor D. Looney

That this Council, again recognising the enormous environmental, health, and tourism benefits of the approx 5,000 acres of publicly-run forest areas in the Dublin Mountains area, reiterates its opposition to the privatisation of Coillte and states its opposition to the sell-off of its timber harvesting rights to private companies.

REPORT:

There are approximately 39,930 acres (16,159 Ha) of publicly-owned forest areas in the Dublin Mountains area (within South Dublin or Dun Laoghaire Rathdown).  This includes unplanted areas, and unplantable areas or areas with special environmental designations such as heathland etc.   In addition there are significant areas of privately owned forest areas.

In 2011 the Government announced the establishment of the new body ‘NewEra’ (New Economy and Recovery Authority) which was a commitment in the programme for Government and stated by the Finance Ministers to be central to the Government’s plans for job creation and investment and for reforming how the Government manages its semi-State companies.

NewERA, is currently analysing the State companies within NewERA’s purview; ESB, Bord Gáis, EirGrid, Bord na Móna and Coillte.  The body is also advising the Government on the sale of Bord Gáis assets and also the stake in Aer Lingus as well as the funding squeeze at CIé.   The agency has done some work in getting ready to implement its mandated task of  "reviewing capital investment plans of these commercial semi-State companies from a shareholder perspective and identifying possible synergies between investment programmes of different State companies".

Regarding Coillte, NewERA is examining the potential sale of timber harvesting rights for a period of 80 years.   This would approximate to two full harvesting cycles.   As the terms of such a potential sale are unknown, the potential impact on the environmental, health, tourism and other benefits of publicly-run forest areas are unknown.

Should the Motion be passed the contents of same will be referred to the appropriate Authorities for comment.