asked the Minister for Lands whether, in view of the acute shortage of fuel in the Newmarket district of North Cork, he will arrange for the immediate purchase by the Land Commission of the Island Wood, near Newmarket, with a view to the sale therefrom of timber suitable for fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Timber Supply.
Negotiations for the purchase by the forestry division of the woods on the Aldworth estate near Newmarket are already in hands and an offer will issue to the owners at an early date. If and when these areas are acquired there will be, in the ordinary course of forestry operations, a certain amount of firewood available for sale locally.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that in Fermoy and the immediate neighbourhood there is an acute shortage of fuel for the use of poor people; that until recently, timber was available for fuel purposes from Knockannig Wood, near Fermoy, under a permit issued to the owner; and, if so, if he will state if he is willing to renew the permit for the cutting and sale of timber for fuel from this wood; and, if so, if arrangements will be made accordingly before next winter.
I have no information as to the shortage or otherwise of fuel in Fermoy. If the owner of Knockannig Wood has disposed of all the timber in respect of which he has been granted felling licences and if he has other timber suitable for firewood, which he wishes to sell, he should immediately lodge, at the nearest Gárda station, a felling notice giving details of such timber. I am not aware that the area of Knockannig Wood which is now the property of the Department contains timber which could be disposed of for firewood.