Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
430. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he issued a letter of expectation to Coillte in 2022; and if he will provide the details of subsequent correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5459/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Government Departments should ensure that they have written oversight agreements with State bodies under their aegis which clearly define the terms of the State body’s relationship with the relevant Minister/parent Department.
For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and the State body is the Shareholder Expectation Letter.
A Shareholder letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 2nd June 2022, signed by Minister of State Pippa Hackett as Minister of State with responsibility for forestry under S.I. 40 of 2021. The Shareholder Letter was co-signed by the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath. The Chair of the Coillte Board acknowledged receipt of the letter on 8th June 2022 and undertook to review and to discuss further.
I am giving consideration to the potential release of the letter subject to the standard issues around commercial sensitivities. I will review this matter together with the the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and inform the Deputy and other interested parties of our decision in due course.
