Deforestation remains one of the most significant factors in

							 With regard to the ‘Role, functions and operations of Coillte.’ Joe Gowran
There are many issues about the way Coillte operates, the impacts of clearfelling,
fertiliser and pesticide application, and particularly when venturing beyond its core
remit in Forest Resource Management, with the sale and leasing of public lands
(IFORUT) to contribute to funding Salaries, Bonuses and Pensions. Other issues
include:

 Deforestation: A ban on the sale of public lands that contributes to deforestation or
the full value of a sale to be reinvested in afforestation only.

Flooding and Landslide: Redesign Plantation Forests to phase out clearfelling.

Biodiversity and FMU’s: Coillte have sought to apply the biodiversity guidelines on
a Forest Management Unit (FMU) basis as distinct from a per each site basis that
Forest Service wants – the solution may be to apply the biodiversity guidelines on
a townland by townland basis

Annual Report on SFM Governance of Coillte Teo by Forest Service

 Long term management of publicly owned forests:
Maintain public ownership of Coillte’s Forest Assets – Consider a multi stakeholder
leasing model (community and local authorities and local commercial enterprises) in
restructuring of the Semi State forestry sector. This should include ending the sale of
Coillte forest property. Transfer more sensitive sites to NPWS

Potential benefits:
    Annual Revenue from Leases to fund monitoring of SFM by FS and the
       purchase of further lands for afforestation.
    variation in management styles, delivering more diverse silviculture systems
    impacting positively on biodiversity, at a townland scale
    provide opportunities for young foresters, who have no access to a ‘home’
       forest.
    Change the dynamics of timber markets and rural employment, ending the
       Coillte monopoly on the supply side
    Greater role for the Forest Service/NPWS as Regulatory Authorities.
    40 year leaseholders eligible for grant supports
    Revenue from sell off of non core aspects of Coillte business
    Better economy of scale to support specialised tree cover staff in local
       authorities.
    More diverse employment opportunities for operative, technician and manager
       grades

Existing lease example: Coillte currently leases land to the Irish Forestry Unit Trust
(IFORUT) on a short term basis c.10years, as a means of forward selling the standing
timber to improve current cashflow, the land reverts to Coillte once the timber is
harvested. Coillte continues to manage the sites during the leases, for IFORUT to
retain existing FSC certification. IFORUT includes Coillte pension funds
Public access and amenities are retained in the IFORUT model.
Please note: the profile of the IFORUT portfolio is currently 96% coniferous species.
‘State forestry policy’ submission from Joe Gowran

    Annual Public Reporting on SFM Governance of Coillte Teo by Forest
     Service
    Ring fencing a proportion of the new Carbon Tax for Tree Cover annually
    Deforestation remains one of the most significant factors in destabilising
     human life on Planet Earth. Ireland needs to take a decisive lead in the
     implementation of FLEGT and the new EU Council Regulation of 28/1/10
    Cross border co-operation on implementing EU measures to eliminate the
     import of illegally harvested timber.
    A ban on the sale of public lands that contributes to deforestation or the full
     value of a sale to be reinvested in afforestation only.
    Maintain satisfactory resourcing of Inventory and Research branches of Forest
     Service, in order to meet international obligations
    Recognise the significance of Tree Cover and its expansion in the NSDS
    Stabilise funding and rationalise grant schemes through interdepartmental and
     international co-operation on RDP and Emissions Trading / Carbon tax
    A proportion of the carbon tax be applied to Bog Conservation, where
     restrictions on traditional harvest need to be offset with incentives for wood
     fuel production.
    In Afforestation, develop semi-natural woodland as the key option, composed
     mainly but not exclusively of native species by mimicking the type of wood
     that could potentially occur on the site, such as the Bord na Mona cutaway
     potential of c. 25k ha
    Smart re-afforestation with 15% biodiversity plus 10% broadleaf per conifer
     site.
    Plan conservation and enhancement of biological diversity at a townland scale
    Keep Ireland GMO tree free.
    Develop comprehensive operative and technician level training in modular
     format
    All identified old/ancient woodland sites should be reinstated after first
     rotation
    Agree clearly defined limits on areas for clearfell. Link these limits and the
     promotion of Continuous Cover Silviculture in conifer stands to improved
     Carbon Accounting.Redesign Plantation Forests to avoid clearfelling.
    Restructure the administration of Public Tree Cover while maintaining public
     ownership of Coillte’s Forest Assets – Consider a multi stakeholder leasing
     model.
    Pool interdepartmental and social partner resources into a Tree Cover Agency
     on an All Island basis to co-ordinate resilience to the impact of future events.
    Participation of the Environmental Pillar in the final reviewing of updated
     Legislation, Policy and Coillte Teoranta through Social Partnership
    Organise an All Island Tree Cover Conference soon, to discuss the issues
    The island of Ireland should be aiming towards at least 30% tree cover by
     mid century (still below European average) employed strategically, primarily
     to reduce the impact of Climate Change, where carbon sequestration
     benefits are a secondary by product.
    Maintaining or enhancing biological diversity should be a primary
     objective.