Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the terms of reference, functions and purpose of the Irish National Stud; if the agency is still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by her Department; the benefits to the Irish taxpayer gained from the work of the agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35021/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish National Stud Company Limited (INS) was established under the National Stud Act, 1945 which prescribes the main function of the Stud as carrying on the business of Stud farming. The INS operates in accordance with the requirements set down in this legislation, as amended, and also in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.

The principal activities of the INS are stud farming and related tourism activities. Its main function and purpose is to improve the quality of Irish bloodstock by making available top class stallions for breeders. The INS also offers a highly regarded equine training programme in horse breeding for young people who wish to enter the bloodstock industry.

Income from tourism activities makes an important contribution to INS revenues. Visitors to the INS have the opportunity to observe top class bloodstock at close range. They can also visit the Japanese Gardens, St Fiachras Gardens, the Horse Museum as well as the extensive walks around the grounds and stables. A measure of the popularity of the INS as a tourist attraction can be deduced from the fact that in excess of 145,000 people have visited the INS in 2007, making it one of the premier tourist attractions in the country.

The INS is a commercial State Body and operates as a going concern. It would not, I believe, be appropriate for my Department to engage in the day-to-day operation and management of a commercial enterprise which encompasses stud farming, a significant tourist attraction together with an education function. The current business model of the Commercial State Body is best suited to the INS with the multiple activities which form the business mix at the Company.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the terms of reference, functions and purpose of Coillte; if the agency is still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by her Department; the benefits to the Irish taxpayer gained from the work of the agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35022/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Coillte Teoranta is a private limited company, established under the Forestry Act 1988, which operates in forestry and related activities on a commercial basis. Section 12 of the Act sets out the objects of the company, which are as follows:

To carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices,

To establish and carry on woodland activities,

To participate with others in forestry and related activities consistent with its objects, designed to enhance the effective and profitable operation of the company, and

To utilise and manage the resources available to it in a manner consistent with the above objects.

The establishment of Coillte was the outcome of a decision taken by Government during the 1980s that the State owned forests should be managed on a commercial basis. Coillte was established with effect from 1 January 1989 and the company has since developed its forestry business while also diversifying into the wood panel sector and various other related activities.

The Forest Service of my Department is the regulatory authority for the forestry sector. It is responsible for national forest policy, the control of felling, the administration of planting and other forestry grant schemes, forest protection and the promotion of private forestry. It is more appropriate for the day-to-day management of the State's forests on a commercial basis to be vested in a separate agency.

The taxpayer and Irish economy has benefited significantly from the work of Coillte in terms of direct and indirect employment, the production and processing of timber for the various markets and the provision and development of recreational facilities.