I move:
That a sum not exceeding £18,752,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December 1983, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, including sundry grants-in-aid.
As is the usual practice I will discuss the Fisheries and Forestry Estimate together and I shall move the Forestry Estimate after the debate concludes.
As a result of the Government's efforts to reduce overall expenditure and borrowing the Fisheries Estimate shows a decrease of IR£822,000 over last year's vote. The overall decrease is due mainly to a reduction in the amount allocated for the main fishery harbour works including payments to the Fishery Harbour Centres Fund, a reduction in the grant-in-aids to BIM for current and capital purposes and an increase in Appropriations-in-Aid from fines and forfeitures arising from the prosecution of foreign fishing vessels for illegal fishing. These reductions have been partly offset by increases in the cost of other services, mainly in the salary provisions and in the grants paid to the Central and Regional Fishery Boards. I am satisfied that the reductions will not seriously affect the development of the fishing industry.
The value of domestic landings in 1982, excluding salmon landings, amounted to £43.7 million as against £35.4 million in 1981, an increase of 23.4 per cent. In addition there were landings by Irish registered vessels into foreign ports valued at some £3.2 million. The total quantity of fish landed at home ports in 1982 was 195,000 tonnes. This is a record figure and represents an increase of 18,000 tonnes over the 1981 catch. The industry also registered a new export record of £68 million which was 33? per cent up on the 1981 figure.
Over 70 firms are at present involved in fish processing employing about 1,700 persons. A total of 14 projects incorporating either new processing plants or extensions to existing ones were approved for grant purposes in the calendar year 1982 involving a total capital investment of £5.12 million including State investment of £1.1 million.
Deputies will be aware that agreement on a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was finally reached at the Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on 21 January 1983. Before going any further I would like to thank all of my predecessors, on both sides of the House, who contributed to what were protracted and difficult negotiations. This is an agreement of vital interest to the fishing industry and it is, therefore, appropriate that I should give some details, however brief, on the component elements of the agreement as they affect us. They are as follows:—
(1) Access — This refers to access by member states to the waters of other member states. The CFP provides for the maintenance of the existing six-mile zone exclusive to Irish fishermen and improvements have been achieved in the six- to 12-mile zone. In addition, Irish vessels will continue to retain their existing rights to fish in the UK six- to 12-mile zone in the most productive parts of the Irish Sea and off the west of Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
(2) Quotas — These represent the share-out of the available total allowable catches which are based on scientific assessment of the state of the stocks. Normally such share-out is based on historic fishing patterns but in Ireland's case we are considerably aided by the existence of an agreement reached by the Council of Ministers in The Hague in 1976 to the effect that Ireland be allowed to double her 1975 catch by 1979. It is appropriate that I pay tribute here to our Taoiseach who, as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1976, played no small part in achieving that commitment. In a situation where overall fish stocks in EEC waters have been decreasing year by year it has proved invaluable and indeed is the envy of many other member states in the Community. The quotas agreed for 1982 compared very favourably with the targets established under The Hague agreement, the only exception being herring where there are restrictions on catches on grounds of conservation. Even here, however, this was compensated for by an increased quota of mackerel.
Our quotas have been mistakenly condemned on the grounds that we are offered only 4 per cent of the total fish available in the Community whereas we have 25 per cent of Community waters. This misleading statement, although factually correct, takes no account of the huge stock differences as between waters adjacent to Ireland and for example the highly productive areas of the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Skaggerak/Kattegat areas where the bulk of the Community fish stocks occurs. It also ignores the large Irish catches taken in UK waters. Taking into account those stocks subject to quotas and located partly or wholly in Irish waters, it is estimated that the Irish quotas represent some 86 per cent of these stocks and that the total stocks in Irish waters comprise 6 per cent of the total EEC stocks. I trust that these facts dispose of the argument that our quota allocations should be related to the percentage that our waters constitute of total Community waters.
We have recently received the 1983 quota proposals from the EEC Commission and these will be subject to discussion later by the Council of Ministers. In a number of cases reductions have been proposed in total allowable catches which have led in our case to reduced quotas being proposed for some species. This is particularly serious in the case of mackerel on which our fishermen and processors have become very dependent. While in most cases our percentage share of the total allowable catches is at least as high as that agreed for 1982, I am concerned that the quotas now proposed may be inadequate to meet the expanding needs of the industry in Ireland and I will be doing my utmost to have them increased. I have already made my dissatisfaction clear to the Commission.
(3) Conservation — There is a series of technical measures for the conservation of fish stocks such as limitations on mesh sizes, landing sizes and a ban on certain methods of fishing. These will facilitate the strict conservation of fish stocks on a Community-wide level based on scientific advice.
(4) Control — Control will be effected by keeping a strict system of surveillance on catch levels through the keeping of log books by fishing vessels and the submission of catch reports. It will be further strengthened by the establishment of an EEC inspection force with the objective of supervising the enforcement of the quota and conservation regulations. Proper monitoring and control will be essential if the CFP is to achieve its objectives.
(5) Structures — This heading embraces the provision of Community aid for the restructuring of the fleet and for aquaculture. Grant-aid will now be available for the following measures: —
(a) Permanent and temporary laying-up of vessels to relieve overcapacity in the fleet;
(b) Encouragement of exploratory fishing for new species and permanent removal of fishing vessels from the Community fleet by way of joint ventures with non-EEC countries for the purpose of exploiting resources located outside "Community" waters;
(c) Construction of new fishing vessels and the modernisation and conversion of fishing vessels already in use;
(d) Aquaculture projects;
(e) Construction of artificial reefs (in the Mediterranean only).
Ireland will qualify for more favoured financial treatment in this area being eligible for grant-aid up to 50 per cent of the cost of approved projects as against the normal 25 per cent.
(6) Market Organisation — A new regulation for the Common Organisation of the Market, comprising a price and trading system and common rules of competition, came into force on 1 January 1983. Broadly speaking, the regulation provides for market standards for fish measures dealing with the setting up, financing and operations of producers' organisations of fishermen, the system of price support arrangements for fish catches and provisions governing trade with non-EEC countries.
The main improvements in the new marketing structure from Ireland's point of view are:
(a) The strengthening of the role of existing producers' organisations and increased aid measures for new producers' organisations;
(b) A broader criterion for establishing withdrawal prices and the introduction of some flexibility in their operation to take account of market fluctuations;
(c) Increased financial compensation levels payable by the Commission for fish withdrawn from the market which fail to find a buyer at or above the withdrawal price;
(d) A better protection system against market disruption caused by low cost imports from non-EEC countries;
(e) Financial aid for the storage of withdrawn fish in an attempt to retain such fish for the human consumption market.
Some misgivings have been expressed about the marketing regulation, particularly its effectiveness in controlling cheap imports from third countries which Ireland is very concerned about. The new regime, while it may not be perfect, represents a big improvement on the old regime and there are already indications that it will prove more effective against imports.
(7) Third Country Fishing—Only those non-EEC countries which conclude agreements with the Community may fish in future within the Irish 200-mile zone and under no circumstances may they trawl inside a "box" which is anywhere nearer to the Irish coast than 50 miles. Access of such countries to particular fish stocks will be allowed only on the basis of quantities surplus to Irish and Community needs and their vessels will be subject to the general conservation and control regulations. While on the subject of third countries, I would like to say that the amending legislation which I have promised to deal with the use of flags of convenience will be introduced in the House shortly and will I hope be given a speedy passage.
This then is the broad outline of what we know as the Common Fisheries Policy. I remain convinced that it represents the best "deal" that could have been achieved given the constraints of time and conflicting interests that existed. All are agreed that the absence of a Common Fisheries Policy has bedevilled the European fishing scene for many years and I am confident that the agreement now reached can only assist in the more orderly and efficient development of our sea-fishing industry.
The grant-in-aid to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for 1983 for administration and current development amounts to IR£4.7 million and the grant-in-aid for capital development amounts to IR£3.1 million. Additional funds are available by way of repayable advances from the Central Fund, a line of credit from financial institutions and the board's own resources to meet the demand by fishermen for loans for boats, gear, and so on. In addition to an interest subvention of £950,000 a sum of approximately £2 million is provided to meet the cost of grants under the board's Marine Credit Plan. The board's grant-in-aid for capital development also includes a provision of £420,000 by way of grants for mariculture development and £300,000 towards the cost of refurbishing the Decca navigation system.
I am concerned at the high level of arrears on fishing boats loans which are due to a variety of factors. I have asked the board that each case of arrears be treated on its merits and that boats be not repossessed from fishermen who are making a genuine effort to meet their commitments. I am not, however, prepared to give a blanket undertaking that no boats will be repossessed but I am confident that the board, with a genuine response from the skippers concerned, will find solutions to the problems in most cases.
I am examining ways and means of improving our marketing structure and I propose to set up an ad hoc advisory group representative of BIM, the Department and all sectors of the industry to make recommendations on marketing strategy.
In recent years interest in acquaculture in Ireland has grown rapidly with a particular emphasis on the cultivation of oysters, mussels and escallops. The cultivation of these species is a relatively new technology with progressive developments in methods of culture and this factor, along with cultivation in new untried areas, requires a period of evaluation before success can be assured.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara continue to operate their Mariculture Grants Scheme for pilot and commercial scale fish farming projects and this scheme and the grants which the EEC continue to make available for such projects play a very significant role in the development of this sector.
Progress is continuing on improvement works on landing, berthage and other facilities necessary at fishing ports and landing places.
At Killybegs an extensive dredging programme has been completed to provide adequate depth in the harbour generally and additional depths in specified areas to meet the needs of the bigger trawlers now using the port. Tenders are being examined by the Office of Public Works for the civil engineering works in connection with the installation of a syncrolift and it is hoped to place a contract very soon. Work on the construction of an automatic telephone exchange, which will give much needed improvement in the telephone service, is due to commence shortly. A new fish freezing plant has gone into production.
At Castletownbere a 38 kv electricity supply, which will provide an adequate power supply for the industrial expansion envisaged as a result of harbour development, has been laid on recently. Work is virtually completed on an effluent disposal plant for Dinish Island. Work on the servicing of industrial sites on Dinish Island was carried out during 1982.
The development scheme at Howth is progressing according to plan. The West Pier has been widened and I expect the installation of the syncrolift to commence shortly. Work on the syncrolift boatyard with traverser bays has already started. Expenditure on the overall scheme at the end of 1982 amounted to £8.5 million.
At Rossaveal the old pier has been repaired and a new lighting system has been provided on the new pier. Marker buoys have been installed in the approaches to the harbour and plans for a directional light have been drawn up by Irish Lights. The preparation of plans for a major development scheme is in hands.
A major development scheme at Caherciveen is virtually completed and substantial schemes are in progress at Kilcummin, Killala, County Mayo; Portevlin, County Donegal; and Oilean na gCaorach, Bere Island. It is expected that the works at Kilcummin and Oilean na gCaorach will be completed this year. Minor works are in progress at Seafield and Liscannor, County Clare, and should be completed shortly.
Development works are planned at Greencastle and Burtonport, County Donegal; Schull, County Cork, and at ten other landing places around the coast. These works will be carried out as soon as practicable and subject to the availability of the necessary funds.
The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, which were set up in October, 1980, continue to work for the better conservation, protection and development of every aspect of our valuable inland fisheries.
Under section 32 of the Fisheries Act, 1980, the introduction of a staff scheme for the staff of the central and regional boards is well under way. Also I am glad to say that a superannuation scheme for the staff of the central and regional boards is at an advanced stage and it is hoped that this scheme will be introduced in the very near future.
The most important element of our inland fisheries is our salmon fisheries. Provisional figures for 1982 show that the total weight of the salmon catch by all fishing methods was approximately 900 metric tonnes valued at approx. £3.4 million as compared with 650 metric tonnes valued at £2.3 million in 1981. The overall weight of our salmon catch in 1982 showed an increase of almost 39 per cent on the 1981 catch. While this increase in the salmon catch is very welcome it should not be forgotten that the 1982 catch was still less than 50 per cent of the 2,188 tonnes caught in 1975. Illegal fishing continues to be a cause for great concern. In this regard I would strongly exhort everybody engaged in the salmon industry—whether as fishermen or authorised salmon dealers—to ensure compliance with the statutory salmon conservation measures which are designed to allow a sufficient escapement of returning salmon to our rivers to spawn consistent with reasonable exploitation of the stocks to the benefit of our commercial salmon fishermen, dealers, processors, exporters and our native and visiting salmon anglers. I must say that I am pleased with the improvement in protection since the regional fisheries boards were established and I am hopeful that within a short space of time we will be able to curb the poaching which has caused such damage to our salmon stocks over the years.
The salmon levy, which was introduced on 26 May 1980, was discontinued with effect from 1 June 1982. To date a total of £292,526.63 has been collected. The purpose of the levy was to provide additional finance for the development and protection of inland fisheries. To compensate for the loss of moneys collected by the salmon levy, the licence fees for fishing, licence duties and for dealers' and exporters' licences had to be increased substantially for 1983.
As to the protection of our salmon fisheries, my Department, with the co-operation of the Minister for Defence, arranged for vessels of the Naval Service to patrol the fishing grounds during the 1982 season in support of the protection being afforded by the Garda and the fisheries protection staff of the fisheries boards in the estuaries and the rivers. It is hoped to continue these patrols this season.
I am pleased to report that the Erriff salmon and sea trout fishery near Leenane, County Galway, which is one of the best salmon angling and sea trout fisheries in the country, has recently been acquired by the Central Fisheries Board. The lands attached to the fishery have been acquired by the Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department.
My Department, in conjunction with the fisheries boards, continue in the forefront of the battle to control pollution. Much interest continues to centre around the problems of Lough Sheelin. The transport subsidy scheme, operated by the Lough Sheelin Management Committee, is working satisfactorily and I am glad to say that almost 35 million gallons of excess slurry have been removed from the catchment under the scheme since its introduction in late 1980. The scheme will continue to operate until the end of this year and discussions will shortly take place with interested parties with a view to securing greater involvement of pig producers in the operation of the scheme thereafter.
The Salmon Research Trust of Ireland, which is funded jointly by my Department and Messrs. Arthur Guinness, Son & Co. Ltd, continue their research into the biology of the salmon and the factors bearing on its future survival as a species. A grant-in-aid of £60,000 is allocated to the trust for 1983.
An amount of £145,000 is included in the Estimate to meet our contribution towards the expenses of the Foyle Fisheries Commission. The money will be used to offset the commission's estimated financial deficit in 1983. The commission's increasing deficit is due mainly to increases in expenditure on wages and salaries and also the purchase of a patrol boat. I am satisfied, however, that the commission are continuing to make every effort to reduce their annual deficit. To that end the commission have increased the licence duties payable for salmon fishing licences in the Foyle area this year. I am satisfied that the commission are continuing to do everything possible to keep their annual deficit to an absolute minimum consistent with fulfilling their obligations under the Foyle Fisheries Acts to conserve and manage the fisheries in the Foyle area.
I recommend this Estimate to the House.
Having dealt with the Fisheries Vote I will now turn to the Forestry Estimate. The nett amount being provided for this year, namely — £38,670,000 — represents an increase of £3,883,000 — or 10 per cent — as compared with last year's Estimate. This increase, due largely to salary and wage increases, is partly offset by an increase of £325,000 in the estimated Appropriations-in-Aid.
Some subheads in this Vote allow for roughly the same level of expenditure as last year and do not call for any special comment, but if Deputies want detailed information about them I will be happy to provide it in my reply. I will, therefore, concentrate on the major items.
The main aim of the State forestry programme is to increase the size of the forest estate and the supply of wood to be processed for home and export markets, with due regard to amenity and recreation considerations and wildlife (fauna and flora) conservation requirements in the forest context. For many years the State afforestation target has stood at 10,000 hectares a year but in recent times, because of difficulties in acquiring land and the resultant unsatisfactory land reserve position, it has not been possible to attain this target. Last year, following a detailed examination of the situation, the Government decided that an annual planting target of 10,000 hectares per year, including reafforestation and planting of privately-owned land, should be maintained as an overall policy objective. At the same time it was accepted that, pending an improvement in the plantable reserve of State-owned land and an acceleration in the level of private forestry, an annual State planting programme of 7,500 hectares, to be augmented as much as possible by private planting, would be the most practical policy in the short term.
It goes without saying that every effort must be made to increase the intake of land for afforestation purposes. Ideally, the target should be to engage in land acquisition to such an extent as would sustain a State planting programme of 10,000 hectares per year but in present circumstances it is difficult to provide funds of the required magnitude. However, I am glad to say that in this year's Estimate a sum of £3.5 million is being allocated under subhead C.1 for land acquisition and it is expected that this amount, together with a balance of £380,000 in the land acquisition fund at 31 December 1982 will result in the purchase of approximately 7,000 hectares, but of course the bulk of this land will not come into the possession of my Department until next year and later depending on negotiations with individual landowners and the speed with which sales can be closed. In the current year, as a result of price agreements entered earlier, the land intake is likely to be of the order of 6,000 hectares. Clearfelling of existing plantations will make a further area of about 1,000 hectares available for replanting. However, I accept that this level of activity is far from satisfactory from the standpoint of a return to an afforestation level of 10,000 hectares per annum and it will be my aim to seek a much higher allocation for land acquisition in the years immediately ahead.
I would like now to pass on to subhead C.2 which relates to the existing State forest estate. This estate embraces 386,000 hectares of which 307,000 hectares have been planted — and its development and management include a variety of activities such as the production of nursery stock; the establishment, maintenance and protection of State plantations; the provision of amenities and public recreation facilities; the purchase, maintenance and hire of machinery; the construction of forest roads; and the whole field of timber harvesting and conversion. For these activities a provision of £26.827 million has been made under subhead C.2 for the current year. The level of activity being undertaken is broadly comparable with last year's performance and provides employment for a work force of about 2,500 men — usually in areas where alternative employment prospects are poor.
The stage is now being reached in Irish forestry where past investment is beginning to show a significant return. With the increased emphasis on timber harvesting the provision of adequate funds for forest roads and harvesting machinery assumes paramount importance. An increase of approximately 28 per cent in the allocation for road materials this year reflects the increasing number of plantations now reaching the stage where timber has to be extracted. The purchase of gravel and other materials used on forest roads contributes in no small way to the economy of the localities concerned. Although, unfortunately, none of the expensive and specialised machinery used in forestry operations is manufactured in Ireland, my Department are acutely aware of the need to spend as much of their budget as possible in this country. In illustration of this I would mention the purchase last year of two specialised machines for the transport of heavy materials over boggy terrain. Under the prescribed sealed tender competition arrangements the vehicle found most suitable for the Department's needs was a Canadian tracked machine. Following negotiations with the manufacturers the two machines, less cabs and engines, were supplied in a completely knocked down condition and arrangements were then made which enabled one Irish firm to supply the engines, assemble the two machines and do some extra fabrication work while another Irish firm was awarded the contract for the manufacture and fitting of the cabs. These arrangements, as well as providing outlets for Irish industry, also resulted in a fairly substantial saving to the Department.
The funds in subhead C.2 include a provision of £935,000 for machine hireage in 1983 and £640,000 for contract harvesting. This expenditure is mutually advantageous to the Department and to various machine owners and contractors. On the one hand it affords an outlet for the spare capacity of machinery in private ownership and on the other hand it reduces the need for capital expenditure by my Department on the purchase of specialised equipment for which it would have only part-time use.
There is a slight increase this year in the amounts being made available for the purchase of weedkillers and fertilisers. This is due partly to a greater use of chemicals for the control of weeds — work which was previously done manually at a greater cost — and the higher prices for fertilisers, mostly unground mineral phosphate, which have to be imported and paid for in US dollars.
Grant assistance to Chipboard Products Ltd., at Scarriff, County Clare, is provided for under subhead C.4. This company — set up with grant assistance from the Government — has been in production since May 1981. It is a private limited company employing some 200 people directly at the plant and a further 100 in timber harvesting and transport. The grant assistance of £1 million proposed for this year is intended partly for capital development and partly to meet the cost of subventing timber harvesting operations under the terms of a timber supply agreement between the State and the company.
In the area of timber promotion my Department are in consultation with the Department of the Environment with a view to increasing the market share of Irish timber in the housing sector and also to easing certain restrictions inhibiting the greater development of timber-frame housing.
I should like to take this opportunity to kill off the erroneous impression that my Department were allowing the export of timber at £1 a ton. This misconception appears to have stemmed from the fact that in recent years, when the pulpwood industries had virtually ceased operations, my Department encouraged the creation of export outlets as a temporary measure for this type of material in order to ensure the development of the primary forest product, namely sawlog, and also to maintain forest employment and facilitate the development of harvesting expertise. The pulpwood in question was sold standing in the forest, often in remote and difficult harvesting sites, and at the point of export it would have cost the exporter in the region of £20 a ton — mostly in wages. It should also be borne in mind that the ultimate value of such timber in terms of foreign currency earnings was of the order of £6 or £7 million per annum — a factor which helped to reduce the net cost of necessary timber imports. Nevertheless I am happy to say that, with the establishment of a pulpwood plant in Clonmel to manufacture medium density fibreboard, and which will commence production this summer, pulpwood exports will decrease as the demand by the new industry increases. Moreover, this firm will add greater stability to the timber industry generally by affording a welcome additional outlet for sawmill waste and chips.
The level of expenditure being provided this year for private forestry — subhead D of the Vote — is £300,000.
While progress to date in State forestry has on the whole been satisfactory, the contribution made by the private sector to the national afforestation programme has been disappointing. There are, of course, historical reasons for this but I am glad to say that there have been some encouraging signs of late that attitudes are beginning to change and that, with the State incentives now available, a substantial increase in private forestry will emerge in the years ahead.
The private forestry sector will receive full support in its operations from the Forest and Wildlife Service by way of grants and a free technical advisory service. Every effort is being made to generate wider interest both in the traditional planting grant scheme and the more recent forestry element of the EEC Western Package. This latter scheme was introduced primarily to encourage an expansion of private forestry in Counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Monaghan, Longford, Cavan, Clare, Roscommon, Kerry and parts of Limerick and Cork. Grants of up to 85 per cent of the cost are available subject to a maximum of £800 per hectare. Regrettably, progress under the scheme to date has been slow. In 1982, only £61,000 was paid out in grants in respect of 170 hectares planted under the scheme.
As Deputies will be aware, the functions of State forestry have expanded in recent years far beyond the production of timber and the aims of my Department now include the provision of amenity and recreational facilities, game development and an on-going wildlife conservation programme.
On the amenity side, provision is made in subhead C.2 (4) of the Estimate for the maintenance of nine forest parks—the most recent being that at Currachase, County Limerick, which was officially opened last Autumn. In addition, provision is included for general amenity and recreational facilities in the State forests, which now contain over 400 areas open to the public and listed in my Department's publication entitled The Open Forest. The public are invited to continue to visit and use State forests where such usage would not interfere with the production of commercial timber.
On the game and wildlife side, provision is included in subhead G in respect of the services of the Wildlife Ranger Corps who deal with the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, 1976. There are currently 47 rangers engaged in enforcing the general protective provisions of the Act and more specifically in regulating hunting and dealing with poaching offences and illegal trade in wildlife species. They also have an important role in fostering a greater interest in wildlife conservation at local level.
I am aware that the absence of a provision in the Estimate for game development grants has been a source of grave disappointment to regional game councils and tourist shoot operators. Regrettably, the priorities which governed the formulation of public expenditure estimates for this year did not permit a continuation of such financial support. I appreciate the good work done by all these organisations over the years in the interests of game development and I sincerely hope that their enthusiasm will not be diminished by the present situation. The traditional advisory and liaison services provided by my Department for the game sector will continue to be made available and I would urge the sporting interests concerned to avail themselves of them.
Funds for the wildlife conservation programme are provided for in subhead H, the provision for 1983 being £170,000.
Research into wildlife habitats and species is a major element of the wildlife conservation programme. The Forest and Wildlife Service have identified a number of sites of different types of ecosystems around the country, particularly peatland areas, which are worthy of nature reserve status. Most of these sites are privately owned and, having regard to the cost of either acquiring them or entering into management agreements with the owners, progress in affording them statutory protection will inevitably be slow. However, this is a sector to which I am giving particular attention in the hope of securing some allocation of funds that would permit the conservation of at least the most vulnerable habitats. I am pleased to say that to date 12 nature reserves—mainly woodland reserves on State forest property—have been established and are being managed by my Department. The number of such reserves is likely to be increased during the year.
Public demand for information on wildlife and conservation is extremely keen and is met by the distribution by my Department of various educational leaflets which are continually being updated and expanded. On the international front, wildlife conservation has wide implications. The FWS continued to participate with various international organisations at EEC and other levels and every effort is being made to fulfil this country's obligations under the various directives, regulations and conventions which have emerged in recent years.
I should like at this point to pay a very special tribute to the on-going work of the Wildlife Advisory Council—a voluntary group—whose advice on a wide variety of wildlife conservation topics is greatly valued by me and my Department.
This address would be incomplete without a reference to the forestry research sector. In so far as silvicultural research associated with the commercial production of timber is concerned, this is handled by the Forest and Wildlife Service itself and the costs involved relate in large measure to the personnel involved. As regards timber technology research, however, my Department avail themselves of the services of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards who are currently undertaking a number of research projects on behalf of the Forest and Wildlife Service aimed at promoting the use of Irish timber and the bulk of the funds provided for under subhead I relates to this exercise.
I have no doubt that timber production is an area which can offer increasing scope for import substitution. However, in the long run the successful production and harvesting of timber depends on the response from house builders and other buyers and users of timber. I would appeal to everyone connected with the trade to make an extra effort to do all they can to secure a larger market share for Irish timber with a view to safeguarding the long-term interests of the entire timber industry.
The Forest and Wildlife Service also keep in touch with new developments in the sphere of forestry research such as biomass, that is, renewable energy resources, either through conventional forestry or by way of growing specialised short-rotation energy crops using species such as poplars and alders. My Department are actively involved, in conjunction with other State agencies, in a number of EEC-assisted biomass projects, but developments on this front are as yet experimental and it would be premature to draw any firm conclusions from them.
The final subhead to which I would like to refer is subhead J—Appropriations-in-Aid. This, of course, relates to the revenue which is expected to accrue to the Forest and Wildlife Service in the course of the year to reduce the gross Vote. The expected aggregate income this year is £8,873,000 but, as Deputies will see, the vast bulk of this revenue derives from the sale of timber and more particularly sawlog. While the prevailing market for this sector is difficult due to a downturn in building activity, I am glad to see that, in the face of such difficulties, some firms have been imaginative enough to seek and obtain sizeable markets overseas for processed timber. Such initiatives are very commendable and have played a significant role in the countinuance of forestry activities and improving forest revenues.
Before concluding, I would like to mention the subject of forest fires. In recent years people have become very conscious of the potential of our forests in terms of recreation and amenity and also of their value in the sphere of wildlife conservation. For my part, it is indeed a pleasure to welcome the public to enjoy the many facilities and amenities available. However, what is sometimes not realised is the great vulnerability of the forests to the danger of fire, which is the major enemy of our plantations. Every year, many hundreds of hectares of forest, developed at heavy cost to the taxpayer, are destroyed by fire as a result of a moment's carelessness or wilful selfishness. With a little thought and foresight most of these fires could be avoided. While weather conditions in recent months have been such as to reduce the extent of fire hazard, I would appeal for continued vigilance by the public in the lighting of fires and the discarding of cigarettes and matches in the vicinity of forest properties.
I have now dealt with the Estimates for Fisheries and Forestry in considerable detail. I commend both Estimates for approval and I look forward to comments from all sides of the House.
