Vol. 498 No. 1
63 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the measures, if any, he is taking to redress the imbalance between the 80 per cent conifers and 20 per cent broadleaf trees planted over the course of EU grant schemes for tree planting in Ireland in view of the fact that the EU average is estimated to be 27 per cent conifers and 73 per cent broad leaves in comparison. [26335/98]
The strategic plan for the forestry sector in Ireland, Growing for the Future, sets out an annual target of 20 per cent for broadleaf planting. This compares with annual broadleaf planting of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in the mid-1980s. Grants and premiums under the afforestation scheme are and will continue to be heavily biased in favour of broadleaves.
65 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the consideration, if any, he has given to the merits of effecting the securitisation of the income stream from the State owned forest enterprises, through the NTMA managed company (details supplied) or otherwise, as an alternative to the option of privatising Coillte Teoranta which would necessitate the transfer of the largest single land bank into private ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25426/98]
The strategic plan for the development of forestry, published in 1996, indicated that Coillte Teoranta would be maintained in public ownership in the medium term, but that the full commercial development of the company would provide Government with a wide range of ownership options in the future. I am keeping this matter under review.
All of the financial options relating to Coillte will be thoroughly examined before any decision regarding ownership is taken. I should add that the specific option referred to by the Deputy would require new legislation.
