Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is a big policy issue for Government and is not an issue for Coillte Teoranta. It is an issue for the committee to examine on another day. What will happen if a higher percentage of the mature forest is owned by individual farmers? Up to now we have been able to provide an adequate amount of timber to the mills to keep them viable and prevent collapse. Will they be put in jeopardy now?

One of the ironies is that 100% privatisation of all planting could lead to significant damage being done to the private timber milling sector which is so important. There is no point in growing the trees if one does not process them. My understanding of the big mills is that they depend on Coillte to bring to market, particularly in times of scarcity, enough timber to ensure their operations continue at capacity level. If, over time, more supply comes from the private sector then in times of short supply timber will be pulled off the market and prices will go through the ceiling in order to push the guys out of the market and collapse the mills. Is that a possible scenario with the present policy?