Wicklow TD Calls On Government To Protect Irish Forestry and Stop Corporate Land-Grab

A Wicklow TD has called on the government to intervene to scrap a controversial deal between Coillte and a UK-based investment firm.

Under the plan, the state body will plant trees and manage forests, but Gresham House will see the financial benefits.

Although County Wicklow is the second most forested county in the country, with 17.9% of the land in the county under forest, Ireland is one of the least densely wooded areas in the EU.

The EU average is 33.5%, with the global average recorded at 30.6%.

Social Democrats Deputy Jennifer Whitmore says the plan highlights serious flaws in the coalition's climate action policy.