Coillte sale ‘would pay 3 weeks’ interest on debt’

Selling the state forest industry would only generate enough cash to pay three weeks’ interest on the nation’s debts but could threaten 12,000 jobs, forestry workers have warned.

Ahead of a Cabinet discussion next week on any sale of Coillte, trade union Impact outlined losses which it said would fall on the State if forestry and timber production rights were sold.

The union, which represents 600 workers at Coillte, said selling the rights to sell timber to private operators would also jeopardise public access to forests and could close sawmills.