Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the wind energy proposals, has Coillte entered into agreements with companies in the midlands as a pre-emptive measure without taking cognisance of the fact that there was going to be a strategic environmental assessment? Why would Coillte do that given that there is a significant amount of opposition, particularly where they are located close to residential and rural areas? Surely Coillte could have awaited the outcome and not engaged in that process in a piecemeal fashion, which has caused great angst, disturbance and distress to people. If that is the position and I am led to believe it might be, I totally disagree with it. That was a poor strategy to adopt, particularly in the face of significant issues arising for people who had expended significant amounts of money purchasing their homes. Has Coillte made submissions to the local authorities to retain the current guidelines in terms of the wind energy proposals? Surely it should have taken cognisance of the issues that are arising that are manifest across the general populace and the level of distress these things cause.

Coillte is planting about 6,000 hectares per year. What potential is there to increase that? Mr. Egan compared it to 2006, which is perfect. Coillte made a significant contribution to the export-led recovery, which we ought to acknowledge, but surely it is unlimited in terms of what it can contribute in the future. Surely there are opportunities there in that regard. Coillte has acquired about an average of 2,500 hectares or thereabouts per year over the past 25 years. Has it become dormant in that position or is there a possibility that Coillte can re-enter that market and continue that process because many of us worked hard to ensure that Coillte was not sold off under the terms of the troika agreement? I hope the significant confidence invested in Coillte will be repaid in the way we all anticipate.

Coillte has lands in rural areas that are down minor roads and local road networks. Very often, in the process of extracting the timbers, significant damage to local roads occurs. Does Coillte co-operate with local authorities in making a contribution, particularly where people live along those roads, to ensure they continue to have the appropriate access to which they are entitled? There might be isolated numbers of people living there. Does Coillte still co-operate with local authorities to ensure that roads are maintained to that standard? I know Mr. Britchfield is only acting CEO but has Coillte now complied with Government guidelines in terms of public sector pay for CEOs?