A Cavan councillor has called for "key forestry" in the county such as the Cavan Burren Park, Killykeen, and Dun a Rí to be designated as "non-commercial recreation forests".
John Paul Feeley told a recent County Council meeting that "if it's good enough for the greater Dublin area, surely we can have the same here".
In 2019, nine forests in the Dublin Mountains were converted to the primary function of recreation and biodiversity.
Councillor Feeley also hit out at what he called "the criminal fashion" in which some forestry in the County has been replanted, saying it amounts to "vandalism".
Aiden Fitzpatrick said he "fully supports the motion" and added that the parks "should be protected", while Sarah O'Reilly said "the bottom line with Coillte is profit".
