Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentation. There has been considerable concern in this House and outside over the future of Coillte or parts thereof for some considerable time. I can never seem to get a full answer to the question of whether Coillte has carried out a complete survey of the minerals contained in the lands it owns. Would it be fair to say that they are in the ownership of the State and will continue to be in the ownership of the State?

Mr. Britchfield stated that Coillte wishes to build on its key strengths. He stated that 15 million trees were planted on approximately 6,000 ha. in 2012. Does Coillte intend to continue to plant at this rate or to increase it? I assume this planting capacity is one of its strengths. Could the delegates elaborate on this and other strengths?

A target of 450 million has been set for 2018. Is this realisable? What support does Coillte need from the public purse in order to achieve that objective?