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

With all due respect, this is not the Deputy's decision alone. The Government is assessing all of the issues outlined by him. In fact, multiple assessments are being made in the valuation of timber and harvesting rights. However, just because we have not yet given that information to the Deputy which will be the basis of a Government decision does not mean the work is not being done. We are not going to release all of our information and have a debate that is only semi-informed. What we are going to do is make an assessment on the basis of a Government decision to look seriously at the sale of harvesting rights. That process is under way and close to a conclusion. Once all of these questions are answered, it will be my responsibility to go back to the Government for a policy decision and once that decision is made, we will bring it to this House for scrutiny, which is the appropriate way to do things and make decisions. At that time all of the information will be available. Information on many of the questions the Deputy has asked is available, for example, on Coillte's accounts, what it sold and to whom it was sold. Much of the sale of harvesting rights in the past ten years happened under a previous Government and I was involved in the committee that questioned Coillte about these sales. Therefore, there has been significant discussion of this issue.

With regard to afforestation, Coillte does not become involved in significant afforestation. What it does is replant land that has been harvested because it is obliged to do so by law.

The afforestation programme in Ireland, in terms of extra forest land, is by and large happening through the private sector, which is planting approximately 7,000 ha this year. It is one of the few areas in which my Department has seen no cuts over the last two budgets. This Government is committed to increasing the amount of forestation in Ireland because we think it is the right thing to do. We will continue to support the forestry sector in a proactive way. We will make our decisions with regard to Coillte in that context.

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