Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Mr. Gunning and Mr. Egan for the presentation. I have a couple of queries. I appreciate that many questions have been asked.

Reference was made on page 11 of the presentation to securing planning for wind farm projects. I am interested in Coillte’s strategy on wind farms. It is not the case of one getting out of bed and deciding to have one wind farm today and another wind farm tomorrow. I am sure a strategy is in place. Because there is much debate about who ought to be involved in wind farming there is a concern that we will end up with a glut of wind farms. Senator Pat O’Neill spoke about the positioning of wind turbines. We agree with Mr. Gunning. The directive specifies that we ought to achieve a target of 30% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. We do not want to throw the baby out with the bath water. I would have thought that it would be something close to Coillte’s heart and that it might have a view on the siting of turbines, albeit as CEO of Coillte that is not perhaps in Mr. Gunning’s direct remit, but I am sure he has a view.

The most important aspect of this meeting is what will happen in the future. I am reluctant to say it but I must point out to Mr. Gunning that we have not heard anything today about the future of Coillte. He has outlined seven work streams, as he called them, but each of the seven areas has another 70 questions attached to it. It is an extraordinarily complex business and I appreciate that it is not just about keeping Coillte going; Mr. Gunning also has to calculate how to create the change, how to deal with the main shareholder, namely, the Government and how to incorporate the direction that has been given. Mr. Gunning mentioned that he fed into the decision that was taken by the Government. I would be delighted to know, as I suspect would my fellow committee members, what Mr. Gunning fed into the decision taken by Government.

Mr. Gunning is right to be proud of the achievements of Coillte. That is not at issue. We know Coillte has done a lot of good things but what will exercise the committee today and in future is what is going to happen. Each of the seven work streams has 70 more questions attached to it. For example, who decides ultimately on the sale and how will it happen. Deputy Ferris inquired about the employees. Major issues surround them, in addition to the pension liability and the company’s debt. We have not had a presentation that reflects the current situation relating to where Coillte is going in the future. I agree with Senator Mary Ann O’Brien, I am not particularly happy at the prospect that we have to dispose of any of Coillte’s assets. They should stay in the ownership of the Irish people. I understand the troika and the deal that was done on the €3 billion we have to find from various disposals but I wish to hear more from Mr. Gunning. I accept much of it is work in progress and he is not able to tell us all of what will happen. If he is unable to do so, I am sure he can tell us about what input he had into the decision taken by Government. Given all the questions and the time constraints, it might be more appropriate to return to the issue. I am appreciative of the fact that the Chairman took a break in order for Seanad members to vote.