Madam, – I believe that the International Forestry Fund (IFF) may purchase the State forestry agency Coillte. This would probably mean the selling of all land owned by Coillte which is 7 per cent of the country’s landmass or approximately twice the size of the county of Meath to this Investment Fund based in Switzerland.
The chairman of this fund is our former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Will someone please stop the selling of this national asset to an organisation located outside our country which could have the powers to do whatever it likes with our forests, rivers, lakes, walkways and all associated natural resources owned by Coillte. These form an asset which can be utilised to create wealth and jobs, locally and sustainably for our future and the future of our children. – Yours, etc,