Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there is a sufficient degree of transparency and accountability in the policies, management and operation of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6350/14]
View answerWhile Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the State's forestry estate, are the responsibility of the company, oversight in relation to its performance and management is achieved in a number of ways. The company is subject to the legislation under which it was established, namely the Forestry Act 1988. While the Act has a number of provisions in relation to the provision of annual accounts and the requirement for consent in relation to borrowings, it also requires the company to provide the Shareholders with information on issues of a policy nature on request.
As a State owned body, Coillte is also subject to the Department of Finance's Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies under which it is obliged to provide information and confirmation to me in relation to the governance and activities of the company. The Code concerns the internal practices of the bodies and their relationship with the relevant Minister. Section D of the Code deals specifically with Relations with the Oireachtas and the Minister, encompassing Departmental oversight, the Report and Accounts of State Bodies and Additional Reporting Arrangements. Under the Code, the Chairman of Coillte is required to confirm a number of aspects in relation to the management of the company to me. His report is accordingly received each year and is reviewed by my Department to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Code. The corporate governance of Coillte has also been enhanced through the establishment of NewERA as Coillte is one of the commercial State companies which fall within its remit. While I have met with the Chairman of Coillte on a number of occasions, my officials and NewERA also liaise with the Group Executive Team on an ongoing basis in relation to its performance and strategic issues.
The Oireachtas also plays a role in the oversight of Coillte. While I respond to parliamentary questions on policy issues, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has the opportunity each year to meet with representatives of Coillte and ask questions directly to the company. I note that the Committee met with Coillte on 19 November last with a range of issues covered during the discussion.
As the company is engaged in forestry activities such as harvesting, it is also subject to the provisions of the Forestry Act 1946, the operation of which falls within the remit of my Department.
