asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position regarding the setting up of a wood pulp factory in County Cork; and the finding of the recent survey.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Wood Pulp Factory.
20.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that, while representations were received regarding the siting of a timber based industry in County Cork, no specific proposals were submitted.
The study of the timber processing industry being undertaken by the IDA in conjunction with the forest and wildlife service of the Department of Fisheries and Forestry to determine how the maximum return can be obtained from our timber resources is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Will this depend on the report being available?
Yes. No major decision about setting up new plants will be taken until the report is available and studied.
Regarding when the report will be available, presumably no private interest would be anxious to set up a factory if a profit element were not involved but since presumably profits can be made from this industry would it not be appropriate for the State, by way of a small recompense to the taxpayers, to embark on a vast afforestation programme?
I can tell the Deputy that in recent times three of the major privately-owned timber producers have not been making any profit.
We cannot leave out of consideration the question of bad management.