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

This query about a geological survey has been asked in the House on a number of occasions. The background is that Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters such as the conduct of surveys are the responsibility of the company. My Department has contacted Coillte which has advised that it has not conducted a geological survey of the estate.

I note that this issue was raised by Deputy Martin Ferris when Coillte met the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine last October, in reply to which Coillte management stated that, while it had information on the extent of deposits of stone, sand and gravel, with regard to other deposits such as precious metals, the company had done no work in that area. I understand Coillte also suggested the Geological Survey of Ireland might be a possible source of information. Coillte has since advised my Department that it commissioned a study from NUI Galway in 2005 to identify and assess the extent of stone, sand and gravel deposits in areas of the estate where national data from Geological Survey of Ireland maps had indicated there might be such deposits. My Department does not have a copy of that report.

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