Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the recommendation on page 76 of the report of the review group on State assets and liabilities that unforested land surplus to Coillte's requirements should be sold also implies that when the existing forestry has been sold that land on which no replanting takes place will also be sold. [9447/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The content and recommendations of the Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities are currently being considered by the Government.

In relation to the recommendation mentioned by the Deputy, I note that it is prefaced by a statement that "We view the retention of land ownership and the use of leases rather than outright sale as an appropriate instrument to ensure the multiple benefits of forestry" and the Report then goes on to note that "[While we do not recommend in principle the sale of forest land,] Coillte possesses a substantial land area which is not forested and which may never be forested ." However, the content and recommendations merit more detailed consideration than has been possible in the short timeframe since the Report became available.