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

I welcome Mr. Moloney. He has demonstrated great success in his previous role, as everyone is aware. This is a particularly important position and I genuinely wish him well. As one who opposed the sale of Coillte and wanted to ensure it remained in State hands, I look forward to hearing Mr. Moloney outline a vision that will achieve that for the benefit of the people.

The dividend returned to the Exchequer has been disappointing. It has been as low as €2 million and it has always seemed to be a fight to extract any significant dividend. I hope that will improve. Mr. Moloney says there are off-balance sheet dividends in respect of the cultural, heritage and recreational contribution. Goodbody Stockbrokers has evaluated that at €180 million and €200 million. It is important if the State is a significant investor that there be a return.

Relatives of mine worked in forestry between the 1950s and the 1980s. It employs approximately 900 people and there are approximately 1,800 indirectly employed in haulage and other areas. The 900 is, however, a declining number. I would like to see that decline reversed because this is important to the sustainability of rural economies, particularly in areas where the Office of Public Works, OPW, Coillte and local authorities provide work. Many areas may be left unplanted for a long time. Why is that so? It does not have the wherewithal or the people to do it. We must continue to replant and resow.

Coillte has existed for 25 years as a semi-State body and commercial organisation. It now has a five year plan for 6,000 ha. That is approximately 1,500 ha less than was set out, which was not achieved. That is my big bugbear. Mr. Moloney set out objectives for Glanbia for diversification and achieved them all, with the help of his executives and everyone else who worked hard. That played a pivotal role in the sustainability of rural economies across the south east and further afield.

Coillte will play a critical role in carbon sequestration and reduction. What particular incentives does Mr. Moloney feel should be put in place to ensure the promotion and development of biomass as a renewable energy source? It is important for dealing with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. What can be put in place? It is also important in promoting sustainability in the rural environment because there is a large quantity of raw material available.

I am not as taken with wind energy as everyone else is, because I think it is grossly inefficient and ineffective. I particularly dislike the way it has been imposed on communities without consultation and participation to ensure communities see its benefits. Coillte has a role in this area but I hope Mr. Moloney will take a holistic view of it, that it should be to the benefit of the community and offer a dividend where possible. Energy should be provided to hotels, hospitals and community centres. Let us look after our own before talking about export. I urge Mr. Moloney to ensure Coillte participates with communities. There is significant opposition to the way some corporate entities, which have no feeling for communities, imposed plans on communities without proper consultation. That has led to tremendous antipathy and annoyance and to people doing what they like. The little man or woman in the house or tigín has no say. Corporations think they can do everything. I hope Coillte will not join their paternalistic chorus that they know best. I look forward to Mr. Moloney’s leadership ensuring it does not. Coillte can play a positive role in wind energy but it is not the be all and the end all. It could make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability through biomass and other areas.