‘Forestry is a law unto themselves,’ councillors express anger at damage to Tipperary roads

Nenagh councillors have called for action on the forestry industry for damage to local roads.

Councillors at last week’s sitting of Tipperary County Council criticised Coillte and other companies for damaging the roads but not paying for their upkeep.

Cllr Rocky McGrath called for a special meeting saying, “forestry are a law unto themselves”.

He said there are some very old trees around the Kiloscully and Keeperhill areas.

The Nenagh councillor said he warned a visiting Minister a number of years ago about the damage done by forestry companies.

Additionally, Cllr McGrath said the “massive” trucks going up and down rural roads do a lot of damage. He said while he understands old trees must be harvested, the companies carrying out the work must pay for the damage they do.

Cllr Michael O’Meara supported him and called for a policy to be developed around Coillte.

“I know for years Coillte has been getting away with it. Great damage has been done to roads,” said Cllr O’Meara.

Also at last week’s meeting, Tipperary councillors passed a motion to ask the Government to ban the sale of Irish forestry to investment funds.

The motion put forward by Clonmel councillor Pat English read: “That Tipperary County council requested the Irish Government to put a ban on selling off Ireland’s publicly owned forest land to foreign and national investment funds.”

Cllr English said it should be up to Irish people how they use their forests.

“We must start valuing our woodlands for their benefits to people and wildlife.

We must value our best assets,” said Cllr English.

Nenagh councillor Joe Hannigan supported Cllr English, saying, we should maintain our forests, not sell them off.

The motion was seconded by Nenagh councillor Seamus Morris.