Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coillte Investment.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

63 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the announcement by Coillte that it is ready to invest £3 million in a Northern Ireland sawmill stake; and the plans, if any, he has to address the concerns of sawmills in the Republic of Ireland that Coillte will be competing with its own customers, Coillte's existing sawmill enjoys protection from a competitive bidding process when purchasing its logs and that this development is against the recommendations of the Seventh Joint Oireachtas Committee on State-sponsored Bodies which investigated the activities of Coillte Teo. [16268/97]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

67 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his approval has been sought for the investment by Coillte Teo. of £3 million to take a majority shareholding in a Northern Ireland sawmill company (details supplied); if so, if approval has been given; if he considers the investment appropriate in view of the fact that it will mean that Coillte will be competing with its own customers in the State; the implications of this for competition; if he has considered the investment in the light of the recommendations of the Seventh Joint Oireachtas Committee on State-sponsored Bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16472/97]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together.

Coillte Teoranta has submitted a proposal for my approval to invest in a sawmilling project in Northern Ireland. This proposal is currently being examined in the Department and also in other relevant Departments and agencies.

The Deputy will appreciate that there are many issues which will have to be addressed in depth in the course of the examination now under way. Competition aspects will of course feature but pending an outcome of that examination it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.