Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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775. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to include a guarantee that when the harvesting rights of Coillte are sold that the land will be returned to the State in the condition that it is in when the harvesting rights returns to State ownership; if there are any plans for the inclusion of a down payment in the contract to include any forest restoration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27941/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reiterate that the sale of the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests is under consideration, not the land, and no decision has been taken on this matter as yet. Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department examined the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets. This examination included 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, including the need for replanting.

The overall analysis on the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights has been finalised, the outcome of which is currently being considered by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself. It will be brought to Government in due course for consideration.