Pearse Doherty criticises sale of State forestry to British investors

Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has criticised the controversial forestry deal between Coillte and British asset managers Gresham House that would see the sale of 12,000 acres of forestry.

The €200m plan will see the British investment firm buy Irish land earmarked for forestry and trees. The deal has faced fierce criticism from opposition TDs.

Minister for Agriculture, Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue, has insisted the deal between Coillte and Gresham House cannot be halted.

Speaking after the defeat of a Sinn Féin motion to end the venture, Deputy Doherty said the deal “is bad for the environment, for communities and for farmers; it will see tens of millions of Irish taxpayer’s money being used to subsidise a land-grab by a British investment fund”. He called on the Government to act to “stop this bad deal from going ahead”.

Protest against 'scandalous' forestry deal takes place at govt offices

Deputy Doherty also said that a letter issued by the Government showed not only was Government aware of Coillte’s plans, but it provided the mandate for the venture to be finalised.

 “It is hugely disappointing that local TDs in Donegal did not support the motion to put a stop to a deal that is bad for the environment, for communities and for farmers; it will see tens of millions of Irish taxpayer’s money being used to subsidise a land-grab by a British investment fund.

“Not only were Government aware of Coillte’s plans to enter into this joint venture with a British investment fund, they gave them a mandate to seal the deal.

“It is clear that this letter was the Government giving a go-ahead for Coillte to pursue an approach that led to the Gresham House deal.

“There are now serious questions for Government who, up until now, have suggested that Coillte pursued this joint venture independent from Government.”