Madam, - In his article on reviving Ireland's economic fortunes, Philip Lynch (Opinion, August 13th) includes forestry as among those activities which "no longer fit with State ownership".
In reality, due to its long-term nature, there is no enterprise more appropriate for State involvement, a fact recognised throughout the developed world. It was direct State investment from 1904 to 1988 which created the present Irish State forests and this continues, at one remove, through State ownership of Coillte.
Proper management and protection of forests, whether public or private, can be assured only through direct State control.
Mr Lynch suggests that "Coillte should be sold back to the farmers of Ireland as part of a new drive to restart our ailing agriculture and food sectors". Which farmers? How would it be paid for? What would they do with it? For many decades the afforestation of good land was prohibited by our Government.
It is not the quality of our land that leaves food production in Ireland less competitive in global markets; it is our climate. And there is little we can do about that in the short term. - Yours, etc,
NIALL O'CARROLL,
Ballinrobe,
Co Mayo.