Andrew Boylan
Ceist:142 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to privatise State forests. [19071/99]
Written Answers - Afforestation Programme.
The strategic plan for the development of forestry, published in 1996, indicated that Coillte Teoranta would be maintained in public ownership in the medium term, but that the full commercial development of the company would provide Government with a wide range of ownership options in the future.
Earlier this year, I appointed AIB capital markets and Merrill Lynch International to carry out a consultancy study to assess the options for the corporate development of Coillte. The study involves considering the role of Coillte in contributing to the Irish forestry sector and the identification and evaluation of appropriate options for the corporate development of Coillte, including strategic alliance and wider share ownership possibilities. The consultants report is expected shortly.