Sir, – The proposed merger between Bord na Móna and Coillte “would be a serious mistake” wrote Dr Niall O’Carroll, former chief inspector of the Irish Forest Service (June 24th). We strongly endorse this view.
A successful merger needs to involve organisations with similar aims and philosophies. Coillte and Bord na Móna have fundamentally contrasting objectives. Coillte manages a renewable resource, providing a wide range of wood and non-wood products, and services while Bord na Móna exploits peat – a finite resource – for heat and power. The rationale and character of the two entities could hardly be more divergent. It is difficult to argue with the view expressed by Éamon Ó Cuív TD that the companies are “as different as chalk and cheese”.
Sustainable forest management is a multi-purpose land use with wide-ranging benefits including carbon storage, recreation and wood production. Wood is a highly versatile and environmentally benign product, which can be used and reused, in many different processes.
As a scarce material nationally, it is important that Coillte’s forests continue to be utilised to achieve the highest added value, supporting downstream wood industries and employment.
This is a view shared by the Irish Timber Council, which represents Irish sawmillers. They, along with Coillte and other stakeholders contribute to a successful, export-oriented wood-processing industry with an annual value of €2.2 billion. They believe a Bord na Móna influenced forestry company would result in a rebalancing of wood supply towards a low-priced energy product to fuel power plants. This could damage Coillte and Irish timber processors who need continuity of log supply to ensure a viable forest industry.
We would argue that Coillte should be allowed to continue its role as an autonomous, clearly focused organisation, optimising the multiple values of its forests in the national interest. – Yours, etc,
Dr GERHARDT
GALLAGHER; JOHN
PRIOR; Dr PADRAIC
JOYCE, Emeritus Professor
of Forestry UCD; JOHN
Mc LOUGHLIN & DONAL
MAGNER,
C/o Marlton Road,
Wicklow.