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Tuesday 3 October 2023 Dublin: 11°C

# coillte

This year
2023
'Unacceptable' commitment by public bodies when faced with environmental information requests
The Commissioner for Environmental Information has reversed a ‘staggering’ number of environmental information decisions by public bodies.
Coillte forestry deal 'not government's preferred option', admits agriculture minister
The deal has come in for strong criticism from politicians, forestry groups and farmers bodies.
Explainer: Why is a deal between Coillte and a British firm so controversial?
Here’s a breakdown explaining the deal, why it’s controversial, and what happens next.
New €1.3 billion forestry strategy labelled a 'scandal' by Irish Wildlife Trust
The proposal will see Coillte partner with Gresham House to bankroll new forests.
Last year
2022
Thousands of litres of pesticides used on Irish roads and forests each year
A report by
Anthea Lacchia
Coillte alone spends around €1.5 million on pesticides – including the controversial glyphosate – every year.
Coillte alone spends around €1.5 million on pesticides every year
In an investigation by Noteworthy, Anthea Lacchia also reports that over 45,000 litres and 800 kg was used along national road networks since 2017
Expert: Outside of agriculture, "there are huge gaps in our knowledge of pesticides and how we use them"
Special branch: Over 75 cases of alleged illegal tree felling investigated last year
A report by
Niall Sargent
In several cases, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte.
Several large-scale cases still open, including the felling of 30 hectares of forest, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
Removal of trees to make way for agricultural expansion is a common issue across many cases
In several instances, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte
All time
Coillte reveals Ireland's ten most popular forests as some visitor numbers triple during 2020
2.2 million people visited the country’s most popular forests from March onwards.
Forestry backlog continues as licences overturned due to biodiversity concerns
Noteworthy analysis reveals serious concerns remain over environmental assessments undertaken by the State prior to granting plantation forestry licences.
Environmental activist challenges bid to chop down trees in Cavan
Sweetman is challenging a decision made to issue Coillte a ‘felling licence’ in respect of coniferous Sitka Spruce trees on 2.7 hectares of land.
Nine forests in Dublin mountains to be upgraded for recreational use
The forests have been managed by Coillte primarily for commercial purposes to date
Drones to be deployed to assist firefighters tackling forest fires over coming months
It’s the second year drones will be used to monitor designated ‘hot spots’ across regions of Dublin, Wicklow and the Midlands.
80% fall in visitors to Coillte forests, as public told to avoid scenic sites outside their zone
Amenities could be closed to locals if guidelines breached.
Opinion: ‘Coillte took me to court but we could work together to make forests a better place'
Last week, Sioned Jones was found not guilty of criminal damage of a Coillte Forest but guilty of a second charge of stealing firewood.
Woman who cut down spruce trees in Coillte forest and replaced them with native trees is spared jail
The jury found the 61-year-old guilty of a second charge of dishonestly appropriating felled spruce wood.
Government to plant 600,000 new native trees over next three years
The trees will be planted on Bord na Móna land.
'Severe safety risk': Public warned not to fly drones above wildfires
Yesterday marked the sixth consecutive day that the Defence Forces deployed the Air Corps to assist firefighting operations.
Forestry group Coillte is looking to sell a chunk of its wind energy business
The semi-state previously announced plans to boost its renewable energy projects.
Coillte says it will work with farmers who haven't been paid
Some farmers told RTÉ that they had been left without payments from the farm-forest partnership scheme
9 essential tips for surviving this summer with kids
From green fingers to the Lazy Day Rule.
Gorse fire which was visible across Dublin put under control last night
Dublin Fire Brigade received over 20 calls reporting the incident.
Nasa has taken an aerial photo of Ireland's gorse fires as public warned of health risks
There have been more than 100 serious gorse and forest fires in recent weeks.
Over a third of Ireland's largest forest has been destroyed by gorse fire
Gardaí have asked people to avoid the Cloosh Valley area.
Coillte defends controversial Hellfire Club project
Coillte said the development will bring the Dublin mountains to life for many of the city’s residents
Europe is lending Ireland €90 million to grow thousands of trees
Under the investment, more than 35,000 hectares will be replanted.
Leaflets from Sinn Féin's environment spokesperson dumped in Kildare wood
Sinn Féin said it wasn’t a member of the party who dumped the rubbish.
'Don't sacrifice the goats': Protesters' anger defers planned cull of 80 wild animals
The proposed cull has now been deferred as Coillte work with locals to resolve their dispute
80-metre wind mast knocked over
It is unclear what exactly cause the collapse.
Permission refused for 48-turbine wind farm in Mayo
An Bord Pleanála said it wasn’t satisfied that the area was suitable for the development.
Want to get active this weekend? Here are some top hiking and biking trails
Unleash your inner hiker.
Is something like this coming to a Co Longford forest?
A UK resort operator is reportedly planning a major development near Ballymahon.
This unfortunate signpost in Laois is going viral
“They say it’s very hard to find.”
A Sydney architect wants Limerick people to restore this ruin to its former glory
The architect laid out a plan whereby the whole community could play a part in rescuing the building and making it into a major tourist attraction.
Government: Fianna Fáil is wrong, new state board rules WILL apply to Irish Water
The Department of Public Expenditure denied there was a loophole in the new guidelines.
The briefcase: subprime mortgages, house prices and burying a Bentley
This was the week in business…
Former Coillte boss got €88,000 for three months' work last year
David Gunning received a total package of €195,000 for 2013 when all payments are taken into account.
Coillte and Bord na Móna come together in joint venture
They will develop tourist trails, build wind farms and explore using green energy to power electricity stations.
IMPACT warns Bord na Mona merger would give Coillte a 'weak voice'
The agency is set to merge with Bord na Mona instead of its harvesting rights being sold off.
Recession pushes Laois communities into action on sustainability
The Leaf project has been working for the last three years to get communities in the county working together on all aspects of sustainable development.
Plan for sale of Bord Gáis Energy published by Government
It’s expected around a billion euro will be raised by the sale, with around half of the funds raised going to pay down bailout debt.
Cabinet abandons plan to sell off felling rights for public forests
The planned sale of Coillte harvesting rights has been called off, with the agency now set to merge with Bord na Mona.