Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The key point is that what is being discussed is the setting up of a State company, not a private company, and one which will remain in State ownership. To put it a different way, in medieval times if one were going through the forests of Nottingham, the Sheriff of Nottingham's writ would have run there and the Robin Hoods of the day would have prevented him doing whatever he wanted to do. In this modern State these are the people's forests and will so remain.

I acknowledge the 150 different recreational and special amenity areas that Coillte hold and maintain throughout the country which provide fantastic public amenities for anybody and everybody. These will continue, absolutely. However, we need new synergies between the two State companies and our plan will bring this about.

The key point is that this will create new jobs, particularly in rural areas where at present there is no opportunity for employment, as all of us know.

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