asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the hardship caused to smaller firms in rural areas owing to the difficulty in purchasing timber from State forests in small amounts, thus making it impossible for them to carry on economically within their means and to give useful and gainful local employment; and if he will take steps to overcome this difficulty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Timber from State Forests.
92.
Timber is sold from State forests by advertised sale, by auction and by local sale at fixed prices. The auction and local sales systems are designed to cater for local demands. The size of lots offered by advertised sale varies according to the situation in the individual forests but a special effort is made to cater for small purchasers in rural areas.
If I give the Minister a specific instance of a small saw mill owner who is unable to purchase economic amounts of timber, will he have it personally investigated?
Yes. If the Deputy will give me the particulars later, I shall have them investigated.