Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 17: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the disposal of Coillte assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28509/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

As I advised the Dáil Select Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine when I met with them last Thursday in relation to the Estimates for my Department, a decision has not been made to sell Coillte. We are examining options just as we are examining options in other areas. The decision in regard to Coillte was to value it in terms of the value of the timber and its forestry and the way in which that type of sale might proceed so that it would not undermine any strategic interest the State may have in the ownership of forestry or land, or the carbon sink value of forestry in the future.

A valuation of Coillte assets is accordingly being finalised by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While I have preliminary estimates of the valuation of Coillte, more discussion with NewERA and the NTMA is necessary in this regard. When NewERA and the NTMA are satisfied they have an accurate valuation, I will submit a recommendation to the Government.

The identification of issues associated with possible options is also being undertaken as part of this exercise. Such issues include Coillte's strategic importance within the forestry sector overall, possible implications for employment, recreational access to Coillte forests and the protection of those People's Millennium Forests located in the Coillte forest estate.

No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the valuation process is finalised and all associated issues considered fully.