Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Questions (927)

Niall Collins

Question:

927. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte is a commercial semi-State body and therefore must abide by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies; if the board of Coillte is accountable to him as Minister in this regard and as agreed by the shareholder letter of expectation (details supplied); and if the State assets are being disposed of by Coillte, by sale or lease to third parties should they be by auction or competitive tender in an open and transparent manner according to the Code of Practice. [50655/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. The Department therefore has responsibility for the Corporate Governance oversight of the company in relation to each of the activities outlined in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, as they apply to Coillte, and takes that responsibility seriously. There are processes in place regarding corporate governance and these are kept under review.

In terms of the disposal of assets and access to assets by third parties, the Chairperson of Coillte affirmed  by letter of 15th April, 2021 that disposal procedures in accordance with the Code of Practice were in place and operational during 2020.

That letter further confirmed that contracts in 2020 that exceeded the €150,000 threshold were either advertised or notified in advance to the Board. Coillte advise that it is only in exceptional cases that such contracts are not advertised, in which case they go to the Board for decision, and this in compliance with the Code.