Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his proposals to privatise Coillte; if a shortlist of purchasers has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8452/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The proposal by the Government is that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be put forward for sale, not that the company be privatised.

Further to the Government’s decision as outlined, the National Treasury Management Agency, via its NewERA Unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction.

Substantial work has been undertaken to date on the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. The outcome of the overall analysis will be considered by the Government upon its conclusion; no decision has been taken as yet.