Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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253. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures Coillte follows to ensure its lands or leaseholds are sold in an open and competitive process. [42936/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as land transactions, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that Coillte's practice is to sell, lease or develop a limited area of non-strategic land, for purposes other than forestry. Notwithstanding that land transactions are operational matters for the company, the company has outlined the procedures it follows in relation to the sale of lands. I am advised that all sales must be approved by Coillte’s General Manager Operations with potential sales also discussed with the Head of Property Sales and consideration given to a number of factors. The company advise me that the property is valued internally to establish its forestry value and by a competent auctioneer and valuer to establish its commercial valuation in order to determine the Advised Minimum Value prior to offering the property for sale and that the method of sale appropriate to the property is also selected – tender, auction or negotiation - which is designed to ensure that Coillte can maximise the value received. The company further advise that all sales (except cases where there is no independent access and the only potential purchasers are adjoining landowners) are advertised. I am advised that the next stage in the process is that proposed sales are presented to an internal Signing Off Committee which determines the reserve price and confirms the method of sale with any sale greater than €2m needing Board approval.  Such sales are discussed and approved initially by the Signing Off Committee.  I understand that all sales of property to current or retired Coillte staff members must be approved by the Chief Executive in addition to the normal signing off procedure. When negotiations with the potential purchaser are completed, the sale is returned to the Signing Off Committee for price agreement and “Signing-Off”.  I am advised that the negotiations are monitored by Head of Property Sales and monthly reports, listing properties sold and relevant details, are prepared for senior management. 

I note that the Deputy also refers to the sale of leaseholds. I understand that while these principles and procedures are generally applicable to sales of land and leaseholds, the actual process may vary depending on the circumstances of the case.