Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and Minister of State for coming before us. It has been a good debate. Clearly everyone in this room is passionate about forestry, which shines through. I also thank the Minister's officials for coming here and for being supportive of the questioning process.

The Minister and Minister of State indicated that they had not published the policy strategy. I do not really want the answer about having had the consultation. I just want the date on which the policy strategy will be published. Would they be supportive of the establishment of a forestry agency? This debate has clearly shown the need for such a stand-alone forestry development agency.

I have serious questions about Coillte's financial dividends to the State. We do not have time to go through them tonight but the Minister and Minister of State might follow up with some details or link us into the Coillte financial dividends to the State. This is a company that is making a lot of money and has a lot of subsidiaries. I have a fair idea about it but I want to hear what the Minister and Minister of State have to say. Could they send on the details?

The Minister and Minister of State spoke a lot about the pre-submission to the Commission and to-ing and fro-ing. Is that available? All of it will eventually be available for inspection but is this submission available to this committee? I am just looking for a simple answer. If it is available, will it be given to us?

There was talk about SEEFA. I do not want to let this go because there were some suggestions about it. I want to be clear. SEEFA is a very strong, credible and capable organisation. We need to make that message clear and we should all be able to agree with it. This committee has really benefited from SEEFA sharing its knowledge and its support. I am conscious that many members of SEEFA are tuned in here tonight. I want to reassure them and I would like to think everyone could reassure them that we believe SEEFA to be a strong and credible organisation. I ask the Minister and Minister of State to reconsider meeting with it. It is an important issue that will not go away.