Social Democrats Sligo-Leitrim condemns Coillte “corporate land-grab” deal

The recent government decision to allow an investment fund to plant forestry on Coillte land has been described as a disaster for Leitrim.

That’s the view of the local Sligo/Leitrim branch of the Social Democrats, which called the deal with Gresham House investment fund a ‘corporate land-grab of huge swathes of rural Ireland’.

“Instead of dealing with developing forestry in a way that supports biodiversity, sustainability and respects the people who live here, the coalition has facilitated this bad deal,” branch member Faye Hayden said.

Faye Hayden, spokesperson, Social Democrats Sligo-Leitrim

“In addition, Coillte makes a profit of €100 million a year and has a landbank of over 1.1 million acres. So why exactly does it require the involvement of a UK-based investment firm?” she asked.

“The Save Leitrim campaign has long stood against the pollution of commercial forestry plantations in the county and demonstrates the widespread opposition to a profit-led forestry policy that ignores the needs of both the environment and the people of Leitrim.

“Leitrim wants and needs investment in our futures, but not of this kind. Deals that damage our local environment and its inhabitants, human and otherwise, cannot be hidden in smaller counties in the hope no one will notice or care.

“We have noticed, and we do care and we shouldn't submit to this. We all need to stand up against big businesses destroying small communities,” she urged.