Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explain the merits of his proposal for a partial merger between Coillte and Bord na Mona, despite the fact that such a proposal seems to have more complications and difficulties rather than benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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One element of the Government Decision of 19 June 2013 in relation to Coillte was that a robust analysis 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.

NewERA is undertaking a financial evaluation on behalf of the relevant Government Departments (my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources), which is currently being finalised. The outcome of this analytical exercise will then be considered by the relevant Ministers in due course and discussion of the merits of such an approach must await the receipt of the final report.