Vol. 424 No. 10
69 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Energy the reason his Department continues to hold parcels of land throughout the country; and if, in view of their commercial value, he will dispose of these either through Coillte or the local authorities.
The lands in question were retained by my Department on the establishment of Coillte Teoranta in 1989 on the basis that they could have higher value as sites for development. Far from retaining any properties surplus to requirement my department has sold sites in a systematic and purposeful way to ensure that the highest price was obtained for the State. It is estimated that over 80 per cent of the value of the total retained landbank has now been sold. The remaining sites which are generally those with low or no potential development value, will be disposed of either to Coillte Teoranta, local authorities or private interests, consistent with ensuring the best return for the State.
