Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of private investigation firms hired by Coillte in 2015 and 2016; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7191/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the engagement and payment of service providers, are the responsibility of the company.  The company has, however, advised that it hired one private investigation firm in 2016

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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584. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of wind turbines that have been erected, received planning permission but have yet to be erected in the planning process or are in the pre planning process since 2007 in hen harrier SPA designated areas, which were designated in late 2007/2008, by year; the number of the erected wind turbines, planning permission approved wind turbines or those still either in the planning or preplanning process that have been awarded or proposed for Coillte State owned lands as opposed to private owned lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7192/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Local authorities are responsible for planning so I am not in a position to advise on the first part of the Deputy’s question.

Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as planning applications and the erection of wind turbines, are the responsibility of the company.

The company has, however, advised that the company has had an active role in the construction and/or the planning application process in relation to 10 wind farm projects involving a total of 211 turbines, of which 118 have been constructed, 59 are under construction with the balance (34) at planning stages.  Coillte also advise that there are circa. 79 third party projects on Coillte property that the company has facilitated with varying levels of involvement - from a right of way/wayleave agreement to the lease and sale of land for the construction of wind turbines.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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585. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the nature of the work carried out by private investigation firms for Coillte; the way in which contracts are awarded to these firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7193/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the engagement of service providers, are the responsibility of the company.  The company has, however, advised that it may, on occasion, engage the services of private investigators, under guidance from their insurers and legal advisors, in relation to certain issues, for example, the theft of timber from the company’s forests. The company also advise that, as the cost of such engagements are significantly below the threshold at which a tender process is required, contracts may be awarded on the basis of experience, the type of work involved, recommendation, or location – or a combination of these criteria.