Vol. 512 No. 2
78 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will give a commitment that Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare, will remain available to the public irrespective of any decision to privatise Coillte; his views in relation to the transfer of the forest to Dúchas or Kildare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25689/99]
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.
The issue of public access to forests is of course one of many aspects which falls to be considered in this context.
