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Officials at the trade union Impact won't have been too upset by the results of the report they commissioned into selling off Coillte, the state forestry agency.
Selling the agency makes no sense, according to the research from economist Peter Bacon.
"Liquidation" of the state's forestry rights will end up costing more than it saves, according to the research.
This strong case for holding onto the semi-state company must have been music to the ears of employees, who potentially face job losses and possible risk to their pensions if the business is sold.
Not long ago, Bacon produced a report that said NAMA would struggle to recoup its costs and should be sold off. That report was commissioned by Treasury Holdings, just as its battle with NAMA reached its peak.
Those more cynical than The Punt might wonder whether the highly respected economist isn't developing a bit of a knack for such client-pleasing insights.
Not so, Peter Bacon himself assures us.
Clients, like Impact, who feel vindicated by a piece of work are happy to share the findings far and wide.
Those less enthusiastic about research they have commissioned tend to exercise their equal right to discretely place the findings in a hidden drawer, never to be seen again.
Irish Independent
