asked the Minister for Lands the cost of timber per ton sold to (a) private individuals (b) companies and (c) any other categories; and the reason for the differences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Prices.
13.
(Cavan): I take it that the Deputy is referring to bulk sales of timber from the State forests and, if so, I may say that prices realised on sales will vary considerably depending on factors such as quality, size, location, whether standing or felled, and market demand. As such timber is disposed of on the basis of competitive tendering, there is no question of price differentiation as between categories of tenderers. All interested parties are given equal opportunity of tendering for the timber available.
Does the Forestry Division in all cases give an opportunity to local people to get thinnings at a reasonable price when the woods are being thinned?
(Cavan): Normally, the timber is sold by the Forestry Division by tender. However, local people who want to buy small lots are catered for by offering them small lots on the basis of what the Forestry Division obtained by way of tender.
That has been the policy but I have got come complaints recently. Is that policy being continued?
(Cavan): That is the present policy of the Forestry Division.