Vol. 372 No. 13
asked the Minister for Energy the resources which will be available to the new forestry board in order that it will become a commercial operation; and the role he now envisages for the Forest and Wildlife Service, Bord na Móna and the private sector.
38.
asked the Minister for Energy if the Government's decision to establish a separate agency responsible for the State afforestation programme took into account the views and submissions of Bord na Móna proposing that it should be given charge of State forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 38 together.
Details of the proposed State board to develop the forestry industry are being worked out. It is too early, therefore, to indicate the exact level of resources which will be available to it. The legislation will, however, provide for the transfer from the Forest and Wildlife Service of the necessary resources such as lands, forestry, machinery and staff to enable it to carry out its commercial functions. The establishment of the new body will not affect private forest development. So far as Bord na Móna are concerned, the Government considered fully their interest in forestry and came to the conclusion that a separate State agency would more effectively achieve the objects set out in the Programme for National Recovery. This new agency will have exclusive responsibility for public forestry.
