Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
214. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department last supplied the ESB, Eircom or other companies with utility and transmission poles; the reason the companies are no longer supplied with poles given that the ESB imports wooden poles with an average annual value of approximately €30 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine does not provide poles or products to any utility company. However, I can confirm that, in the past, Coillte did provide poles for utilities and transmission purposes.
As you are aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
