Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a member of the Government I have been involved in all stages of the decision-making process to date in respect of the proposed sale of Coillte's harvesting rights. From the outset, following the publication of the report of the review group on State assets and liabilities in April 2011, I was engaged as the relevant Minister to ascertain the value of Coillte and its various assets. I began this through my initial engagement with Deloitte on a pro bono basis to examine the recommendations in the McCarthy report as they applied to my Department, including Coillte.

I have emphasised throughout the process the importance of making an informed decision in respect of the disposal of State assets and the Government has been proceeding with caution in respect of the consideration of the disposal of Coillte assets. This resulted in the Government decision in February 2012 that consideration would be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land. The exclusion of the sale of land from the process was to address industry and public concerns expressed to me and my colleagues, and my colleagues concur with my views in this regard.

The most recent development in this regard was the decision by the Government last summer that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte forests be considered for sale. The context and background to this decision was outlined by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself in the recent two-evening debate on the Private Members' motion for which Deputy Boyd Barrett was largely responsible.

As I stated in the debate, my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA in conjunction with Coillte are examining the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte's forestry assets. This work encompasses the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of several issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. All of this work is being undertaken to inform the consideration of the Government on the sale of harvesting rights.

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