asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will recommend foresters throughout the country to allow local hurling clubs permission to cut ash trees for hurley manufacture by the local club members.
Written Answers. - Hurley Manufacture.
167.
Ash trees suitable for hurley manufacture are sold by advertised tender under conditions which enable the purchaser to uproot the butts for further processing in their mills. Close liaison is maintained with the GAA authorities in regard to the planting and sale of ash.
In regard to the Deputy's specific question, it would not be practicable to grant permission to unskilled persons or to persons unconnected with the timber trade to enter State forests to fell trees.
The Deputy will appreciate that the uprooting and cutting of ash for hurleys requires a high degree of skill. Unskilled operators could cause damage to plantations apart from the possibility of injury to themselves.