Mr. Gerry Egan:

Deputy Ferris asked whether geological surveys have been conducted to ascertain what levels of minerals are to be found on the Coillte estate. The first thing to be said is that if there are minerals on the Coillte estate, the rights to them are reserved to the Minister in any event. If the land were sold, it would not have any implications for the ownership of, or access to, minerals on the estate. On the other hand, the deposits of sand and gravel, etc., that exist on the estate belong to the company. When there was a big demand for such materials from the construction sector, we actively marketed our sand, gravel and stone deposits and whatever else. There is a distinction to be drawn. The legal position is that the minerals belong to the State regardless of who owns the land on the surface.