Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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211. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, given that Bord na Móna is a State-owned entity and as he is the sole shareholder, he can re-assure workers that their jobs and pensions, and so on, will remain secure knowing that an unlimited private company is purchasing Bord na Móna; if that of future new employees will also be secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a state-owned company, 95% of the issued share capital is held by the Minister for Finance (whose shares stand transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 2011). The other 5% is held by Trustees of the Bord na Móna Employee Share Ownership Plan on behalf of eligible current and former employees. One ordinary share is held by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department.

In relation to Bord na Móna Recycling, my Department was made aware in 2024 that Bord na Móna was undertaking a strategic review of this business. Bord na Móna informed my Department on 7 February 2025 that after conducting this strategic review, it proposes to sell its shares in Bord na Móna Recycling Limited.

Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna’s business is subject to regulatory approval, including Ministerial consent and will be carefully considered by my Department.

Bord na Móna has stated that employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover.

Bord na Móna Recycling has further stated that it will continue to provide services as usual for its household and business customers pending regulatory approval of the proposed transaction.

My Department continues to engage in dialogue on all governance related matters, including the aforementioned, with Bord na Móna. My Department understands that Bord na Móna has submitted documents to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on 7 February 2025 as part of the proposed sale process.