Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some of the points I wanted to make have been dealt with. I thank Mr. Gunning and Mr. Egan for appearing before the joint committee. I thank Mr. Gunning for his presentation and for noting that SmartPly is based in south Kilkenny. I would like to begin by asking about outdoor recreation. Coillte provides enormous pleasure to those who avail of the access to forests that is provided. Does Coillte get any monetary return from the outdoor recreational activities that take place in its forests and on its lands?

My second question relates to wind farms. Coillte is one of the biggest providers of wind energy in the country. I would like to get its view on a Bill that has been introduced in the Seanad, which provides that wind farms will have to be positioned at least 1 km from the nearest dwelling. I appreciate that Coillte lands tend to be a little more remote than Bord na Móna lands, for example. Will the company issue a policy statement on wind farms, with specific reference to the proposed new legislation? I apologise because I am a little hoarse after Sunday.