Sir, – The question of the sale of State forests, created entirely from Irish taxes, and “harvesting rights” (whatever that involves) has again arisen.
It is not the function of a state forest enterprise to sell its forests or its future. Its purpose is to provide raw material for industry, and other specific social and environmental benefits, and to continue these services in perpetuity.
If the proposed sales go ahead, somebody is going to make a lot of money out of them – and it won’t be the taxpayer. – Yours, etc,