Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 447: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance with regard to the negotiation of a redundancy package for Coillte workers; the next steps in the negotiation of the package; the estimated timescale for the resolution of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26184/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. In accordance with Section 44 of that Act, while a voluntary early retirement scheme is submitted to me in the first instance for approval, such approval may only be given with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. I wish to advise the Deputy that I have given my approval, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, for Coillte to proceed with a voluntary early retirement scheme for their industrial workers. A letter conveying this approval was sent to the company on 23 June 2009. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the roll-out of the scheme, are the responsibility of the company.