asked the Minister for Lands the estimated cost of the recent fire in the forestry lands at Kilcoran, Cahir, County Tipperary; and if the cause of the fire has been ascertained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forest Fires Damage Cost.
24.
(Cavan): The cost of damage caused by the recent forest fire at Kilcoran, Cahir, County Tipperary, has not yet been determined but as 240 acres of plantations were affected the sum is likely to be substantial.
An investigation is in progress to ascertain the cause of the fire.
This question has been down for more than a month and the answer refers only to the first fire. Is the Minister aware that there have been three subsequent fires in that area? Surely there has been time to assess the damage caused at least by the first fire by this time?
(Cavan): This deals with the first fire. I have not yet got an estimate.
Is the Minister aware that there have been three further fires in the same area?
(Cavan): I am aware that there were two other fires.
Could the Minister not have had a reply in respect of the first fire by now?
(Cavan): The Deputy may take it that my Department is assembling the necessary information, and if the Deputy puts down the question again or communicates with me I will give him the information.
The Minister is aware than one cannot put down a question again for six months.
(Cavan): I can tell the Deputy if he writes me a letter.
I have had Press reports that the damage was £3 million and £2 million but I have yet to see an official statement. I am asking a question in the House and I cannot get the answer.
(Cavan): It is not all that long since the damage was done and there were 240 acres involved.
In the subsequent fires?
(Cavan): No, in the first fire.
Has the Minister any assessment of the damage caused in the second fire?
(Cavan): No.
Is the Minister satisfied that the methods of preventing and dealing with these fires are adequate?
(Cavan): I am satisfied that all reasonable precautions are taken. The general public are exhorted to be careful and advertisements are published in the media in general drawing the attention of the public to the necessity to take care. By and large, they do take care. This has been an unbelievably dry summer, and while this sort of damage is to be deeply regretted and is to be taken very seriously, things could have been a good deal worse.
We all appreciate the tremendous efforts of the Fire Service, the Garda Síochána and the Army in this event, but does the Minister feel that the proper methods and facilities were available to these people to fight that fire and the subsequent fires?
(Cavan): I am advised that if such steps were to be taken as would be absolutely perfect, the cost would be prohibitive.
I want to put it on record that I think it is terrible——
A question, Deputy, please.
No, I want to make a protest to you personally that I cannot get a reply after a month.
No favouritism.
I want to assure my esteemed colleague that I have no function in the matter.
Seriously, I want to protest at the fact that I cannot get a reply after one month. Surely it is a very simple matter for them to assess the damage? They should be able to do it within a week.
(Cavan): I want to put on record that I do not consider one month an undue length of time accurately to assess the damage done to 240 acres of forest. I think if the Deputy considers the matter he will conclude that he is being unreasonable.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 25.
Could the Minister tell us when he will have an estimate?
This is long-term planning—surely they know the value of these trees in any particular year.
I have called the next question.