Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I referred to economists. The field of economics can take a decent stab at putting financial values on non-financial items. I have had the same debate with NAMA on how it conducts its valuations. Consequently, I wish to ascertain whether this was purely a financial analysis or a broader economic analysis that would include public value, private value and so forth.

I will not go back into the issue of it being a strategic asset. The Minister obviously does not believe it is a strategic asset but I believe it is, because of soil nutrition, tourism and the timber industry. Moreover, my understanding is we cannot import much wood into the country for disease control reasons and are highly reliant on our indigenous stock. While I could be wrong, that is what I have heard. Are there criteria for something being strategic? We all talk around this issue. I believe it is, the Minister believes it is not and we both have legitimate views. Is there a set of criteria used to determine whether something is or is not strategic?