Coillte plan to sell thousands of acres to investment fund already a 'done deal'

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that the deal is now done with contracts signed, but claimed that it was a small percentage of land in a much bigger forestry picture. Picture: Brian Lawless

A plan by semi-state agency Coillte to sell thousands of acres of rural land to a British investment fund is a "done deal" despite intense political opposition to it. 

That is according to Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, who faced intense scrutiny and criticism from TDs and senators at an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee to discuss Coillte's €200m plan that will see British investment firm Gresham House buy Irish land earmarked for forestry and trees.