At the weekend, a national newspaper indicated that it had heard from some source in the Government that a merger was being considered between Bord na Móna and Coillte. We obviously have the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, saying the sale of Coillte will not go ahead, while the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, says it is being considered. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, then claims it is due to be sold under the troika arrangement. Will the Taoiseach give us clarity on the matter, particularly given that there will be people protesting against the planned sale of Coillte’s harvesting rights outside Leinster House today? Is there any message I can pass on to members of the public concerned about this plan as to when legislation will be brought forward? When will we have clarity from the Government on its intentions for Ireland’s public forests?

The Deputy is flogging a dead horse.

We are waiting for the announcement.

The Government originally set out in conjunction with the troika a list of potential sales of State assets.

"When" is the question.

One involved the sale of the harvesting rights of timber on land owned by Coillte, but not the land. A great deal of work has been done in the evaluation of what that actually means in terms of potential value and so on. It is always the right of the Government to decide what to do with that information, as well as the timing, appropriateness and under what conditions any of the State assets so listed might be sold. The Government has not made any final decision on Coillte. That matter will come before the Government in due course. The Deputy can give this message clearly to people.

When?

He can tell them the Government will make its decision when the matter comes before us.

It has not come before us and the Deputy can tell them that also. I hope that is clear for him.

"In due course" is as clear as mud.