asked the Minister for Supplies whether, in view of the danger of an acute fuel shortage in Dublin, he has any proposals with regard to the great amount of standing timber, valuable only for firewood, on river banks, canal banks and other such places in the vicinity of Dublin; and if he will consider arrangements to allow the unemployed to cut and take away this timber for fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cutting of Timber.
No survey has ever been made of the quantities of standing timber available on river and canal banks and other such places in the vicinity of Dublin, but it is known that much of it consists of poplar which is not suitable for firewood. Provided that agreement can be reached with the owners of such timber and that the provisions of the Forestry Act, 1928, and of the Emergency Powers (Control of Timber) Order, 1941, relating to the grant of felling licences and purchase permits, are observed, there is no restriction on the cutting and conversion of this timber for fuel by a local authority under the Emergency Powers (No. 108) Order, 1941, or by any one in a position to do so.