asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the selling price per cubic foot of ash for the manufacture of hurleys for each of the last four years; if he is aware of the fact that ash is being sold on a tender basis; and, if so, if he is aware that small hurley manufacturers are not able to compete with large hurley manufacturers as they are subsidised by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Written Answers. - Hurley Manufacturing Costs.
335.
The range of prices for ash suitable for hurley manufacture obtained by my Department in the period mentioned was as follows:
|
Year |
Price Range(per cubic foot hoppus) |
|
|
From |
To |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
1980 |
1.80 |
5.05 |
|
1981 |
2.42 |
6.64 |
|
1982 |
2.27 |
11.86 |
|
1983 (to 30 Sept) |
4.65 |
12.12 |
Such timber is sold by tender in accordance with a long-standing practice which gives interested firms equal opportunity to secure supplies from the limited stocks available.
I am not aware that the position in the final part of the question is as stated by the Deputy. Indeed, a recent examination of tenders received for ash lots has indicated that the smaller firms were quite successful.