Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The aim in the programme for Government is to achieve 17% afforestation. Are we talking about a particular facility for the semi-State company, and have the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government been involved in drafting a management plan for Coillte's diverse role in the programme for Government for the future? If they have not, and the Minister of State attempts to give Coillte the facility to borrow this amount of money, it seems as if that body is being allowed to work independently. I agree with Deputy Sherlock's call for a greater level of accountability to the committee and the House.

Perhaps the Minister of State might update the House on the voluntary retirement scheme. Did Coillte get the numbers for which it had looked?

I refer to part of amendment No. 2 which states: "(a) Monies borrowed temporarily at any point in the accounting year under this subsection shall be noted in the annual report." This is vitally important. We saw that two financial institutions, Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide, traded loans between one another during the year and the accounting figures at the end of the year showed no sign of it. By the time it was discovered it was far too late. We have the right to know about any loans that are borrowed temporarily and repaid during the accounting year. Perhaps amber or red lights should go up with regard to why this practice took place. It is common sense that this should be noted in the annual report. It is vital because there is no point discovering this after the event, when the damage is done.

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