Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
853. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the purpose to which the funds resulting from the sale of 1109 acres, 449 ha. of forest near Ballybofey, County Donegal will be put; if the funds will be diverted into the pensions of Coillte workers; if this sale has anything to do with the sale of State assets via the NewERA project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58052/12]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the sale and acquisition of land which take place regularly, are the responsibility of the company. The use of the proceeds from these sales is also an operational matter for the company.
The proposed sale of this land is separate from the Government decision concerning a possible concession for the sale of harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests – this matter is currently being examined. As originally announced by the Government in February 2012, the consideration about the sale of certain forestry assets of Coillte excludes the sale of land.
