Minister of State Andrew Doyle T.D. Launches the Coillte Driver Handbook at the National Ploughing Championships.
Mr. Andrew Doyle T.D, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture today launched the Coillte Driver Handbook at the Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly.
The Coillte Driver Handbook, produced in association with Freight Transport Association of Ireland (FTAI), is designed to facilitate drivers to perform their jobs safely and to increase awareness of the potential issues they may face in their day to day business.
The Coillte drivers’ handbook explains the rules and responsibilities for drivers and contractors, outlining the latest legislative requirements and up to the minute operating procedures and safety issues. Speaking at the launch, the Minister praised the initiative, commenting: “Both the ‘Coillte Driver Handbook’ and the ‘Round Timber Transport Guidelines for Hauliers and Drivers’, which I am also launching here today, will help ensure the safe transport of timber on our roads. These two publications demonstrate the commitment of the industry to ensuring that existing standards are applied across the timber haulage sector.”
Speaking about the benefits the handbook will bring to business Des Phelan, from Coillte said “With commercial timber production from Ireland’s forests reaching over 3 million cubic metres and projections that timber roundwood supply is set to rise to 7.9 million cubic metres by 2035, Coillte believe that it is very important that increased levels of roundwood transport is conducted in a safe and compliant manner”.
Aidan Flynn, General Manager of FTAI also attended the launch and added that: “Coillte is to be congratulated for taking a proactive step in commissioning this handbook, which is a vital method of ensuring that all its drivers operate safely, efficiently and professionally. As a significant consignor of transport and logistics services in Ireland, Coillte is actively demonstrating its commitment to the safety of all its operators and contractors, who will all receive a copy and I would urge other businesses across the Republic to take similar action to ensure that their drivers are completely aware of the risks and obligations they face when on the roads.”
Copies of Coillte’s Driver Hanbook may be downloaded from:
www.coillte.ie/our-business/our-products/wood-about
About Coillte
Coillte is a commercial forestry company, owned by the State, that manages approximately 7% of the country’s land. Coillte operate three strong business from this land – their core forestry business, a wood panels manufacturing business MEDITE SMARTPLY and a land solutions business. Coillte manage assets with a value of €1.5 billion and in the financial year 31 December 2016 it generated EBITDA of €98.3 million. Coillte’s vision is to be the best forestry and land solutions company in Europe. To find out more visit www.coillte.ie
