Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Creed raised the question of committee procedure and I will deal with that a little later. I will come to the amendment first. It is an important point and I will try to address it. The Deputy also asked about the level of afforestation, with which I will deal subsequently because it arises from what Deputy Ferris said.

Regarding Deputy Creed's key question, which was a question from almost everybody, the total sought by Coillte reflected the plans the company had in its draft strategic report for the next number of years. When it came into the Department, officials looked at it, and I looked at it in very considerable detail. For example, there were elements of the draft strategic plan that would have involved Coillte in, at one level, a welcome development in the wind energy sector. I looked at it in the context of concerns I had about the role of other Departments and other agencies. I was trying to ensure that Coillte's plans were properly in line with what everybody else was doing and also to ensure, frankly, that no particular risks were associated with Coillte's departure into the area of alternative energy. Such a departure by Coillte is hugely positive from a national point of view and, potentially, positive for the company in terms of its capacity to earn money in the future. At the same time, and returning to the point made by all of the Deputies who spoke, particularly Deputies Sheehan and Ferris, afforestation is a key element of Coillte's responsibility, although a person looking at the terms of reference for the setting up of the company in 1988 might well reach a slightly different conclusion. In any event, I was anxious that afforestation be seen as one of the key responsibilities of Coillte and I spoke strongly to the company in that regard.

There was quite a level of interaction between the company and the Department on the strategic plan. Ultimately, having considered all of the points made by the company and all our concerns, I concluded that €400 million was a reasonable level at this time to give the company the leeway to pursue various options and also to give us the kind of oversight that everybody in the House would wish.

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