Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the officials for their presentation. The price of timber has steadily increased over the past 18 months. Are the SmartPly and Medite plants coming under pressure because Coillte, as their supplier, is finding it difficult to continue to supply them? Over the past year a decision was made not to sell Coillte, but one of the reasons for not investing in the SmartPly and Medite plants was that they could be sold. Is Coillte prepared to invest the €30 million that SmartPly is looking for to refit the plant in south Kilkenny, not Waterford? The two plants are Coillte successes.

The company hopes to achieve €450 million in added value. Much of its land is used for recreational purposes, which does not benefit the company. What is Mr. Britchfield's vision for tourism on Coillte sites over the next ten years? For example, could log cabins be built and rented for weeks, months or the summer? Is that part of the vision? If so, has the company been in contact with local authorities regarding development plans?