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Successful "Keep AIB Happy "letter from Coillte Teoranta to Michael Daly
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rights, freedoms and repression |
news report
Wednesday July 20, 2005 21:53 by cupla2@gmail.com cupla2 at gmail dot com cupla2@gmail.com
Record released under FOI - five years after original request
Original of this letter on Coillte Teoranta headed paper
8 November 1999
Mr. Michael Daly
Principal Officer Forest Service
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane Dublin 2
RE: MILLENNIUM PROJECT ON NATIVE WOODLANDS
Dear Michael
You may have heard through Tom Power that a meeting took place last Friday (5 November 1999) at Government Buildings, between the National Millennium Committee, Coillte and Allied Irish Bank. Those present included:
Millennium Committee : Minister Brennan; Richard Holland; Joe Riley
AIB : Joanna Lee (Advertising Manager) John Kelly (Head, Business Banking)
Coillte: Martin Lowery; Michael Carey
The meeting followed on from an article in the Sunday Tribune on 31 October about the project. This annoyed AIB, who felt the article was premature, and as a result they refused to stay with the project unless the Millennium Committee matched their money. Gerry Egan spent a lot of time trying to calm and reassure the bank and this eventually led to the meeting on Friday.
As you know, AIB initially committed £2m to the project, provided it was matched. The overall project at that stage was safely costed by us at £4.7m and subsequently increased by a further £1.2m following a request from the Millennium Committee to plant an additional 500 acres -equivalent to one tree for every household in the country.
The Millennium Committee initially put £0.5m on the table and, following a threat from AIB to withdraw, brought this to £1.0m. Following last Friday's meeting their offer was increased to £1.5m.
In doing this, Minister Brennan was insistent that we somehow or other plant a tree for every household at the chosen sites, and that it should be possible for each household to locate its tree if they so wished at any time in the future. There are potential serious logistical and cost issues associated with such a venture and so we did not respond overly enthusiastic. Nevertheless we did offer to produce a "certificate" which might be posted (someway or other) to every household the country and facilitate the location of trees. A draft copy of same is enclosed for your information.
Although AIB see some merit in this, they feel strongly that the overall educational value of the original project which they bought into, has been diluted to such an extent that they will reconsider their options i.e. an alternative project, unless more funding is found. This would be a great loss for forestry as I believe the project is sound and has very good potential PR benefits.
The situation at present from a budgetary point of view is as follows:
£m
Funding:
AIB 2.00
Millennium Committee 1.50
Total 3.50
Expenditure:
Reduced and revised core project 2.70
PR 0.30
Production and dissemination of certificates 0.40
Original ancillary programme 0.75
Total 4.15
Shortfall 0.65
The revised budget for the core project is the absolute maximum Coillte can sustain.
The ancillary programme centres strongly on educational and training elements but I believe could be pulled back to £0.5m, leaving a shortfall then of £0.4m. If this can be matched, or a commitment made in writing to same, I believe AIB will stay on board.
I will be happy to discuss this further with you
Yours sincerely
[Michael Carey]
_______________________
Dr Michael Carey
General Manager
Coillte Forest
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Jump To Comment: 1The FOI Commissioner decided in March 2005, five years after it was originally requested, that this document should be released. The Department Marine and Natural Resources tried unsuccessfully to have it kept under wraps. Coillte Teoranta did not reply to the FOI Commissioner.
Memo from Tom. Power, Assistant Secretary, Dept of Agriculture to Minister Woods 8 November 1999.
Minister Michael Woods wrote by hand - Agreed Michael Woods, 10/11/99
Minister
We have previously discussed the Millennium Project on Native Woodlands and you have indicated a positive attitude thereto. The main objective of the project is to protect, enhance and expand selected native woodlands in the four provinces. A suggestion by Minister of State Brennan to have native Irish oak planted in the name of each family in the country has been added to the original proposal.
The Secretary to the Millennium Committee (Mr. Holland) 'phoned me on 5 November to put me in the picture in relation to a meeting that day involving the Committee (incl. Minister Brennan), AIB and Coillte. I also discussed the matter with Mr. Lowery, Coillte and the position is well summarised in the Coillte letter of 8 November under. Mr. Holland told me that a further meeting has been arranged for 10 November, at which AIB are to indicate whether or not they are still on board to the tune of £2m, which may be related in turn to whether Minister Brennan can improve on the Exchequer contribution of £1.5m. This Department is being invited to bridge the financial gap.
As you know, the project is worthwhile and is one of the three flagship projects of the Millennium Committee.
Allowing for Minister Brennan's proposal the selected sites (totaling 12) are located at Lough Gill, Co. .Sligo, Derrygorry, Monaghan/Tyrone, Brackloon, Co. Mayo, Portlick, Co. Westrneath, Rossturra and Derrygill, Co. Galway, Ballygannon and Shelton, Co. Wicklow, Camolin, Co. Wexford, Galtee, Co. Tipperary and Rossacroo and Yew Wood, Muckross, Co. Kerry.
Ten of the forests are owned by Coillte, with one each in the ownership of Duchas and Westmeath County Council.
Having discussed the matter within the Forest Service and with Coillte, I am satisfied that we are in a position to contribute from Subhead K.6 of our Vote the required £.4m for PR/ education/training purposes. These aspects are summarised in the document marked X under. An additional Exchequer contribution of £.4m would copperfasten the AIB's £2m contribution. We .would of course ensure appropriate recognition for Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, along with other contributors, in the dissemination of information relating to the project.
I, therefore, recommend that we agree to contribute £.4m. As indicated above, the Committee need to know our position in time for the meeting on 10 November.
[Signed]
TOM POWER
Assistant Secretary
8 November, 1999
c.c.
Minister of State
Secretary General