Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the proposed merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte as a bioenergy company will entail the sale of lands currently under the control of either existing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6366/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Government intends to create a new State company to be called BioEnergy Ireland which will involve the merger of Bord na Móna and Coillte. The new company will be charged with becoming a global leader in the commercialisation of next generation bio-energy technologies and delivering on an annual 14,700 hectare afforestation programme.

It is the case that Coillte and Bord na Móna own 7% and 1% of Ireland's land surface respectively.

In the context of the proposed merger, or the Programme for Government, there are no proposals to sell lands in the ownership of either Coillte or Bord na Móna. The Programme for Government states the intention to target up to €2 billion in sales from non strategic state assets, without specifying which assets, and only when market conditions are right.