Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Millennium trees in the event that Coillte forestry is sold to private companies. [22184/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The People's Millennium Forests Project was a flagship Millennium project sponsored by the National Millennium Committee and AIB and managed by Coillte in association with Woodlands of Ireland.

There were 16 sites involved in Peoples Millennium Forest Project, 14 of which are in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland. I am aware that 12 of the 16 sites form part of the Coillte forest estate.

As announced by the Government in February, consideration will be given to the possible sale of some assets of Coillte excluding the sale of land. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the valuation process is completed. The protection of the People's Millennium Forests is one of the issues to be considered in the decision-making process in relation to the possible sale of Coillte assets.