Mr. Matt Staunton:

No, we have no ownership of them. However, there is a crying need to identify that a vacuum exists in this regard, which needs to be joined up. Perhaps, as parliamentarians, members can take hold of this, bring it to the right place and deal with it. It is a step we envisage members taking. Earlier, I mentioned there could be a legislative framework vacuum at this point, mainly because so much time has elapsed and I have heard a great deal of concern from members about certain things Coillte does or does not do.

I deliberately made the final point included in my presentation, which is it is not enough for us simply to state we do not like this proposal. We were obliged to acknowledge there is an economic argument and while we might have got an answer we did not like, we got an answer we did. However, the key point and message I am getting from everyone is it is not sufficient to leave it at that. We know this and are aware that some viable alternative in respect of examining this area must be provided. IMPACT represents workers who work in semi-State companies and consequently, I pose the question as to what is the contribution such companies should make to our national recovery. Is it that we should sell them off willy-nilly and subsequently regret it as I suggested to my presentation or should we put some focus on what is expected from them? A company with profit figures such as those I have illustrated from Coillte is well placed and has a good platform to make a better contribution. This also is true of an organisation such as the Irish Aviation Authority, which returned a profit last year of €24 million. Such companies are well placed to make their contribution but it may not be by selling them. The workers who work in such organisations will state it most certainly is not by selling them. I received some technical queries on how deep was the trawl undertaken by Peter Bacon when making his assessment. Bacon ploughed very deeply. He secured co-operation from the company and the assessment he stacked up is based on real figures and real engagement. My point is it is not one of an outsider looking in, as he had co-operation and got into the books and it is very firm. There are a couple of other strands on which my colleague, Mr. Johnny Fox, perhaps could pick up.