Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of hectares newly planted by Coillte in each of the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Coillte Teoranta was established from 1 January 1989 and the annual total planting, both afforestation and reforestation, by the company since then is set out in the table. The majority of the afforestation undertaken in recent years has been on behalf of private growers. In 1999 Coillte became ineligible for payment of the afforestation premium due to a decision by the European Commission, which was subsequently upheld by the European Court of Justice. In the last number of years the bulk of Coillte planting has therefore been reforestation. Coillte has also indicated that all of the land in its ownership, which is suitable for planting, has been planted.