Sir, In The Irish Times (March 29th) the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Deenihan, quite rightly drew readers' attention to the necessity for environmental compatibility in the context of future forestry development. It is a matter of deep regret that to date the principles of conservation and environmental compatibility have been virtually ignored in the application and development of State forestry policy.
At present there is an urgent need to have the proper balance between environmental and commercial considerations. At present State forestry policy would appear to be heavily tilted towards a commercial brief with insufficient regard being paid to environmental considerations. Indeed, the current brief of the State Forestry Board, Coillte Teoranta, is totally commercial. The failure to achieve this proper balance has resulted in many negative environmental consequences. Many more will occur unless there is a radical change in current forestry policy. It is incredible that the Forestry Act, 1988, which established Coillte Teoranta, failed to provide the new company with any conservation brief. The Act provides for a narrow commercial brief only.
In the context of the current Government review of State forestry policy, the National Association of Regional Game Councils is calling on the Government to ensure conservation issues receive the priority they justly deserve. Indeed a suitable amendment to the 1988 Act would be a useful first step for Oireachtas Eireann to take. We must not allow the mistakes of the past to be repeated. Yours, etc., National Public Relations Officer, National Association of Regional Game Councils, Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.