Sawmilling industry assured on Coillte sale

The position held by Coillte as practically a monopoly supplier of timber to the industry in Ireland will not change significantly if the Government decides to sell the organisation’s timber harvesting rights, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said in the Dáil last week.

“I can reassure people that this Government is not going to proceed with a sale that will undermine or damage the broader timber industry that relies on Coillte,” said Mr Coveney.

“If we do proceed, this will be a major factor in the consideration of how we proceed, to ensure that long-term and medium-term supply contracts remain intact, to ensure this industry continues to grow and expand to its potential.”