Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

At present Coillte is under the control of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister in that Department, Deputy Simon Coveney, could answer that question properly. I can state with clarity, however, that there is no question of not having access to existing and potential recreational amenities of the country. This is not to do anything other than to protect what we have, particularly our amenities. Those are what drive the tourism agenda, recreational amenities, fisheries and other attractions, which will never be changed but we must create jobs. That is our priority. By identifying and keeping those areas as part of our plan, it will grow the jobs that we so urgently need.

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