Ms Bernie Gray:

That would be a matter for the Department. We are very disappointed that we are in this situation despite continued discussions with the Department since June of this year. Resourcing within the Department is a matter for the Department. We want to see an outcome from this, as do other parts of the sector. We have done all we can to help the Department find ways to overcome the difficulties being experienced. Our scheduled December auction for our partners in the sectors had to be cancelled due to lack of supply. We are doing all we can to make sure our supplies can be maximised for next year, particularly in order for the auction to go ahead early next year. That is all I can say about the felling licences as the matter now rests with the Department. We have a strong interest in ensuring it is resolved, but equally, so does the sector.

The Deputy also raised the matter of employment, which is at the heart of this discussion. He noted that while Coillte has 800 employees, it also has 1,200 contractors around the country. In total, therefore, Coillte employs about 2,000 people between contractors and employees. The Deputy also stated that, because of the way Coillte operates, he does not think enough staff or resources are being devoted to make sure it is working well. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and Coillte has had a return of over 4% in the past two years of operation, which is the highest return it has ever made. That is only possible because the staffing and resourcing model Coillte employs is fit for purpose, though there will always be gaps. If Coillte performs well, it can also help the sector to perform well. The 12,000 jobs in the wider sector are there only because Coillte is available to supply timber as required and provide pulp processing facilities for those operators in the sector.

I refer to the number of staff in offices. I do not know whether the Deputy has ever visited Coillte's headquarters in Newtownmountkennedy. The office is referred to as the lean centre because the number of staff is quite small and has been significantly reduced since four years ago for that purpose. Coillte has focused on maximising the number of outdoor staff we employ. We are trying to be as economical as possible with the State's money in terms of how we run the company, and that is part of our response. Some would say we have been too tight - I am sure Ms Hurley will have views on that as the new chief executive - but we need to ensure whatever model we employ is fit for purpose. It should not only be viewed in the context of Coillte itself, but also in the context of the impact Coillte has on the sector and the 12,000 jobs it can support elsewhere. I will pass to Mr. Carlin to discuss plantation.