Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have one more question but Mr. Corrigan might answer the question I asked about the Rothschild Group and other consultants and asset management companies the NTMA might be paying or enlisting for advice, support or assistance in the management of our debt, funds and so on.

Does the NTMA have responsibility for Coillte about which negotiations are ongoing for the sale of its harvesting rights? I am opposed to the sale of Coillte. We are selling an asset that could generate revenue for the State and create employment but what does Mr. Corrigan say to the charge that the valuation by NewERA of the harvesting rights, which I understand is about €600 million - that is the valuation Mr. Corrigan has given - which works out at about €500 per acre for the 1.2 million acres under Coillte control? The Woodland League and others concerned with forestry say that is a gross undervaluation of our State forestry and that this is a give-away of one of our most important natural resources. Would Mr. Corrigan respond to that and to the assertion I and others would make that it does not make any financial sense to give away the harvesting rights to forestry when if managed and invested in properly they could generate much more revenue and employment for the State if they were retained under public ownership?