Ireland's Forests are not for Sale!

Ireland's Forests are not for Sale - Petition


The Irish Government is moving closer to a huge sell-off of the public
forests, currently managed by Coillte (The Irish Forestry Board), to
private investors. An area greater than 1 million acres, equivalent to
two medium sized counties, will be lost forever. This will include some
of our most valuable native woodlands, wild places and some of the last
refuges of our native flora and fauna.

Interest has been expressed by Swiss finance company Helvetia Wealth -
who own the International Forestry Fund (IFF) - chaired by Bertie Ahern,
(ex-prime minister of Ireland) as well as The China Investment Corporation.

Please sign this petition now to tell the Irish Government that
Ireland's Forests are not for sale. These forests are the inheritance of
the Irish children and managed wisely can help secure Ireland's social,
environmental and economic future. A strong show of support, asserting
our rightful ownership of the public forests will make all the difference.

www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-save-irelands-forests/

I understand a government decision is expected within days on whether
Coilte Forestry Land is sold into private hands. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS
PETITION.

If you have read recently that this was now sorted, it isn't , it is more than likely on the back Boiler, these people put the intentions out specifically as feelers, as Jim below, has said, the numbers signing need to be much higher and not only from here in Ireland, please send the link to anyone you know, anywhere on this beautiful Planet.

Jim wrote.

Unfortunately, the threat has only receded – not gone away – so I would encourage anyone who hasn’t signed the petition to please do so. Ironically, the government may well take the fact that only 30,000 people signed up as an indication that the sale of Coillte won’t be too heavily opposed.

The possibility of this sale is particularly shameful in the Irish context – much of the land which could be sold was originally commonage and was compulsorily purchased. Many people sold their land to the state at a very low price on the understanding that it would be permanently owned by the people of Ireland.

What’s also already going on is a slow asset stripping of this land bank. Coillte used to own nearly 10% of the land in Ireland – now its 7%. They got tens of millions in grants over the years, they rent hilltops for mobile masts which also earns them millions, sold off prime property during the boom etc. etc. yet they have never made a return to the exchequer. Where’s all the money?

@katherine – you are correct – there’s no substantial real forest left in Ireland. We’ve only got 0.01% of our original woods left, and even they are so badly damaged that they are classed as “semi-natural”.
We have a 6-page article about Bialowieska in our current magazine – written by a guy by the name of Praciak – very interesting history - how it survived is a miracle.

@des – we’re based just up from you in Kilteel (The Native Woodland Trust that is!) - it’s a fantastic area – the forests you played in now have Buzzards and Pine Martens back in them – well worth revisiting.

And I must shamelessly agree with John – join the Native Woodland Trust. If we don’t get well supported, we may not be around when the chips are down!




Kev.

Signed it after hearing your man on the late late talking about it



Mark

The planet depends on living plants to provide us with Oxygen, it keeps us alive, it takes dangerous elements out of the environment, it gives us a sense of calm, it's our right, The far east is swallowing up every bit of organic material to fuel their growing economies, we have given away our rights both physical and financial to the Gas off the west coast, we tell third world Countries not to cut down their Tropical Forests but our Government want to sell ours to the highest bidder without asking the occupants of this Land,

But mainly... IT BELONGS TO THE IRISH NATION !!! not a Government or a Quango, Ireland, us !

Take your pick.

Kev.

Cichlidguy wrote:

signed that kev!! dont want any scum cuming in buying up things of our goverment!!its a joke how they just rather sell it off same as the oil we had what did they do sell it to SHELL!! our goverment are ****** i say;)

Please think before putting out silly comments. Some people do take disgust at these inappropriate words/quotes. I certainly do.
Signed the petition Kev,I agree 100% with you.

Gavin

so is it politically incorrect to say "*****" now. this world gets better and better

althouhg in fairness i would have used a pretty stronger word than *****

Kev.

JohnH wrote:

I will sign the petition, but remain very doubtful whether online petitions could really sway the (already decided) intentions of politicians

are you saying we should storm government buildings in protest, well if it helps ive been on dirty protest the last two weeks (you should see my cacks, woow wee), maybe we could use this to our advantage

no i find it a disgrace, we lived our lives (some more than others) and "we*" are selling our kids future down the swanny

*i say we as we are a bunch of roll overs who take it right up the swiss when ever the powers to be say "bend over"

well i for one am not bending over anymore

WHO'S WITH ME ON THIS!!

dar wrote:

JohnH wrote:

I will sign the petition, but remain very doubtful whether online petitions could really sway the (already decided) intentions of politicians

are you saying we should storm government buildings in protest, well if it helps ive been on dirty protest the last two weeks (you should see my cacks, woow wee), maybe we could use this to our advantage

no i find it a disgrace, we lived our lives (some more than others) and "we*" are selling our kids future down the swanny

*i say we as we are a bunch of roll overs who take it right up the swiss when ever the powers to be say "bend over"

well i for one am not bending over anymore

WHO'S WITH ME ON THIS!!

does this mean you're signing the petition?

no problem John, sure these petitions are all a song and dance, but i remain staunch to my political views and shall remain focused, committed and loyal to my current protest

yeah i signed it 25,564 was my petition number

if you have a facebook account, twatter, myspace or wat ever new fangled way of communicating wit people 5 doors up, click like or post it there or something, i did it on my missus's account myself

Thanks for pushing this John, it has upset me very much, I struggle to maintain a green environment in work and cannot accept frivolity or levity in this regard, it amazes me the level of ignorance and abandon some People have for all things green. I love a laugh but this is serious beyond belief, it was aired in the media a while back but not to the extent it warrants.

It may be easy to laugh while peering at a Monitor but imagine deciding to go for a walk with your kids and finding a Corporate sign posted, telling you it's private property or going to fish a Lake or River or Pond to only find a sign in English and Chinese telling you you aren't welcome... In your own country! Don't those in power realise the effect this would have on tourism, people come from all over the world to see unspoilt scenery.. Mad!

Kev.

I am not Irish but I did sign the petition (no 25933) as I think we are part of the nature and quality of our life depands on what surrounds us. I was really in shock when I came to Ireland some years ago and I couldn't find a real forest. We have to protect what was left.

I don't know what's going in Europe now. There was also a huge discussion on changing forrest protection acts in Poland (one of the best and most restrictive towards forrest exploration in Europe) held in our parliament. They also wanted to sell our woods to private investors!! Can you imagine Puszcza Bialowieska being cut dowm? (These totaly wild forrest has been protected by king's and later laws since 14 centuty).

www.independent.ie/farming/news-features...-labour-2508979.html

Does this mean it's not happening? Bit vague.

Anyone hear the piece they had about it on Today FM the other evening with Matt Cooper?
Its probably on a podcast on their site.Might be worth a listen. (I'll sign the petiton when I get home,work had it blocked when I was trying to get it signed).

Gavin

That was on the 25th of Jan, there has been no final decision and until there has it's still up there.

Governments throw stuff out there just to feel a response , if no one voiced an opinion they'd do whatever they liked.
The due date hasn't passed therefore it's still on the cards.
These people must be made realise we are their employer, they serve us.!
Until a decision is made I will keep e-mailing People. Funny how it wasn't mentioned in the election campaigns or did I just miss it?

Kev.

Signed 26118

Signed up there...

I signed up earlier on and have spent the day telling as many people as i could think of about this.
I can't remember what number I was but I really can't beleive this betrayal.
I grew up in Brittas and in Redgap, Rathcoole, As a kid I spent a lot of time in the forests.
I have very fond memories of seeing Deers and other animals, I was always overwhelmed by the beauty of the forests and always will be
I really don't know what to say about the whole idea of selling our heritage
It is the country's land and therefore the people's.
We have a right to enjoy our country and not sell it off piece by piece.
We pay enough taxes to the state, they should look after the forests on our behalf

this saddens immensely...



Des

Signed

nice gesture kev

Thanks to everyone who signed the Petition , it now appears that this is NOT going to happen.
Here's a link.

www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=55107&locID=1.2&pagename=news


Kev.

signed up

Well done Kevin for highlighting this on here!

Unfortunately, the threat has only receded – not gone away – so I would encourage anyone who hasn’t signed the petition to please do so. Ironically, the government may well take the fact that only 30,000 people signed up as an indication that the sale of Coillte won’t be too heavily opposed.

The possibility of this sale is particularly shameful in the Irish context – much of the land which could be sold was originally commonage and was compulsorily purchased. Many people sold their land to the state at a very low price on the understanding that it would be permanently owned by the people of Ireland.

What’s also already going on is a slow asset stripping of this land bank. Coillte used to own nearly 10% of the land in Ireland – now its 7%. They got tens of millions in grants over the years, they rent hilltops for mobile masts which also earns them millions, sold off prime property during the boom etc. etc. yet they have never made a return to the exchequer. Where’s all the money?

@katherine – you are correct – there’s no substantial real forest left in Ireland. We’ve only got 0.01% of our original woods left, and even they are so badly damaged that they are classed as “semi-natural”.
We have a 6-page article about Bialowieska in our current magazine – written by a guy by the name of Praciak – very interesting history - how it survived is a miracle.

@des – we’re based just up from you in Kilteel (The Native Woodland Trust that is!) - it’s a fantastic area – the forests you played in now have Buzzards and Pine Martens back in them – well worth revisiting.

And I must shamelessly agree with John – join the Native Woodland Trust. If we don’t get well supported, we may not be around when the chips are down!

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that, I am putting your Post on to the original Post.

Kev.

Keep this wonderful Asset in the Hands of the Irish People and for Generations to come.

Kev.

Is it worth highlighting this on the other forum as i am sure there are people there who are not on hear