Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
481. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the issue of allegations of weight-to-volume conversion fraud at Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6502/14]
View answerAs I have clarified previously, in response to a question from the Deputy on this subject last June, this matter relates to alleged fraud irregularities which are not specifically about Coillte but which also have a wider sectoral perspective. Further to the Deputy raising this subject in this House and at Oireachtas Committee meetings, I asked the Deputy at the time if he has evidence on which I can act, to give it to me and I will act on it. I also advised that if there are questions which need to be asked of the Coillte Board about any type of fraudulent activity, I would follow up on these matters and that I will not cast aspersions without having the supporting evidence.
A meeting was held between the Deputy, representatives of the company making the complaint and their legal representative and officials of my Department last May, following which an investigation was undertaken two officials from the Forestry side of my Department. My officials thoroughly reviewed the material received and reverted to the other attendees at the meeting for clarification on some points and then spoke to Coillte management. Contact was also made with An Garda Síochána to ascertain the status of a complaint which has previously been lodged with them. In the course of their Departmental investigation a great deal of detailed information, both written and verbal, was provided to my officials, by the company making the complaint and Coillte, who went through it and the two officials subsequently sought clarification and additional material.
A report of their investigation was finalised last November, the contents and conclusion of which was outlined to the Deputy and others at a meeting on 21 November 2013. In summary, the report states that the evidence provided by Deputy Flanagan and the complainant company does not prove conclusive on the issue of sample tampering. I understand that the Deputy was dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the investigation. Given the nature of the issue, I am reluctant to discuss this matter further given that it is currently under active consideration by An Garda Síochána. In addition, I have legal advice stating that the report cannot be released at this time so as “not to prejudice or impair the investigation of offences”. To assist that process, I propose to make my Department’s report, and information obtained in the course of my Department’s investigation, available to An Garda Síochána. I have also received an assurance from senior Coillte management that they will assist in any garda investigation.
