asked the Minister for Lands if representatives of the GAA have contacted forestry officials regarding the development of ash production for hurley manufacture; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hurley Manufacture.
20.
The GAA have been in contact with the Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department on a number of occasions in the recent past. Information has been furnished to the association on the quantity of suitable ash for hurleys which can be provided by the service annually for the next few years and they have been assured that my Department will continue to plant ash according as suitable land comes into their possession.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the amount of ash available and the locations?
I do not have the locations for the Deputy but I have the plantings for the last five years—an average of 41,000 annually.
The Parliamentary Secretary appreciates that hurleys are not made out of ash only five years old. It has to be 35 years old.
The Deputy asked me what we were doing about it.
In regard to making hurleys could the Parliamentary Secretary say what ash is available at the moment?
As far as I know there is plenty available. This is what the Department tell me. There is no shortage.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary know where it is?
It does not say that. I will tell the Department to send the information on to the Deputy.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that I had a question down asking for the information and they were not able to tell me? That is why I am so interested in finding out if the Parliamentary Secretary has anything in his brief which would indicate where it is.
It is not stated in the brief where it is.
It is worthy of a special question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Department to furnish me with the information?
I will. I will give the matter my personal attention.