Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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90. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain his recent comment that the sale of Coillte harvesting rights is unlikely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27875/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Government, as part of the agreement with the Troika, has agreed to a State asset disposal programme with a view to using half of the proceeds to invest in economic recovery and jobs. My Department, in cooperation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and NewERA is progressing the disposal of the Bord Gáis Energy business in 2013.

My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Coveney, together with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister Howlin, will make an announcement concerning Coillte harvesting rights very shortly. I hope the Deputy will be better able to understand my recent comments in the wake of the announcement by my Government colleagues.