Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Coillte has sold trees to any pension companies; and if so, the value and the extent of the trees sold to date. [5004/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since is its establishment in 1989 Coillte has sold approximately 11,500 hectares (approx 3% of its estate) of immature forests to forestry investment funds, realising €80 million.

The sale agreements confer rights on the purchaser to harvest timber at maturity. Coillte retains ownership of the land, carbon rights and other assets. Coillte also manages these forest plantations on behalf of the purchasers.