James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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417. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to merge two State companies, Bord na Móna and Coillte, into one powerful, strategically-placed energy company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2929/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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On 19 June 2013, a Government Decision provided for a robust analysis to be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna to create a streamlined and refocused commercial State company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government. A Steering Group, comprising representatives from my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA, has been charged with overseeing the evaluation process in line with the Government Decision. A significant amount of analysis has been undertaken to date and it is expected that the Steering Group will report its findings to the relevant Ministers in the coming weeks.