He was speaking today at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and Marine where he said that he had grave reservations about Coillte's ability to develop and enhance the forests because of limitations associated with both the company and government policies on forestry.
Mr McNamara said: "I am not in any way criticising individual foresters. I appreciate that they are doing the best job they can." However, Deputy McNamara outlined three issues that in his view hindered development of the forestry sector.
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He criticised Coillte's policy not to extend long-term supply contracts to anybody other than to two wood processors owned by the company. This policy, he argued, impacts adversely on small units such as a stake producing sawmill and a wood chip enterprise in East Clare.
"A lot of areas that were planted in the 60s and 70s ultimately proved unsuitable. Either the planting had a detrimental environmental impact or the trees did not grow at all. In my view these areas should be clear-felled," he stated. However, Deputy McNamara said there was a cost attached to this and if Coillte sought to replant in another area, government policy would not allow them to avail of a grant to buy the land, which is available to private owners.
(CD/MH)
