Mr. Patrick Murray:

We have all invested a significant amount of taxpayer money in planting, as the Chairman alluded to himself, and there is much private timber planted. That is on the cusp of coming to the market, as the Chairman asked. It is a major concern that the sawmill sector is placed to process the taxpayer's investment, with Irish growers having taken up the partnership with the Government on the verge of getting the return on the investment. We are at a potential crossroads as the return on the investment could be scuppered by the sale of Coillte. If a private investor takes over the harvesting rights of Coillte and take a dominant position, it could make a hostile takeover of the entire industry and bring us to rack and ruin. By taking us over cheaply, it would have control of the sawmill sector, allowing it to process Irish taxpayer investment on its terms and prices. That is a massive concern for all taxpayers in the country and the current Government.