asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the poor condition of turf and the scarcity of fuel generally, he will again have timber from the State forest at Glenshilane offered for sale to the local people; and also whether, in view of general scarcity of firewood in Youghal, Dungarvan, Killeagh, Tallow, Lismore, Cappoquin, etc., he will negotiate with the owners of private woods with a view to making firewood available to the people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Timber from State Forests.
Authority for the sale of 150 tons of firewood from the State forest lands at Glenshilane issued on the 10th ultimo and the bulk of this material has already been sold. Sales are confined to one horse load per week per purchaser in order to spread the supply over the greatest possible number of local buyers. A supply of a further 100 tons of logs is being made available immediately and further quantities will be put on the market as quickly as they can be prepared.
The provision of fuel in any locality is not a matter for my Department and I am not in a position to enter into negotiations with the owners of private woods with a view to making firewood available. I can, however, assure the Deputy that any applications received from the owners for permission to fell trees for fuel will be dealt with as speedily as possible.