I move:
That a sum not exceeding £17,467,000 be granted to defray the charge that will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31 December, 1984, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, including sundry grants-in-aid.
I propose, as in previous years, to discuss the Fisheries and Forestry Estimates together and I shall move the Forestry Estimate at the conclusion of the debate.
The amount provided for the Fisheries Vote this year represents an increase of 6 per cent over last year's outturn and will be adequate to continue the development of our sea and inland fisheries resources.
During 1983 the estimated value of landings of sea fish excluding salmon in home ports and abroad by Irish registered vessels was £50 million. The estimated value of exports of fish and fish products during the same period was £80 million. These are new records. The principal export outlets are France, Great Britain, West Germany and the Netherlands and, outside the EEC, Nigeria, Spain and Sweden.
Investment in shore-based processing facilities continued during 1983. Eleven fish-processing projects were approved for EEC FEOGA aid amounting to £2.6 million. The total capital investment in those 11 projects came to £5.8 million, including grants amounting to £1.3 million made available by the Industrial Development Authority and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Over 70 firms are engaged in fish processing and they employ about 1,700 persons.
The grant-in-aid to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara for Administration and Current Development amounts to £4.804 million and the grant-in-aid for Capital Development amounts to £2.740 million. Additional funds for capital development are available by way of repayable advances from the Central Fund and a total of £3 million has been allocated for this purpose in 1984. Funds are also available by way of a line of credit from financial institutions to meet the continued demand by fishermen for loans for boats, gear, re-engining and other purposes.
Further financial assistance to fishermen is provided by way of an interest subvention scheme. This element of subsidy for the fishing fleet represents a considerable further aid for the fleet and in 1984 £1.3 million has been allocated for this purpose. A sum of £1.115 million approximately 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 £373,000 for grants for mariculture development and the provision of services to the fishing industry such as ice plants and training facilities.
The continuing high level of arrears in boat repayments is a matter for concern. The situation is serious but it is noteworthy that in some ports there are boat-owners who are up to date with their repayments. Every effort is being made by BIM to reduce the level of arrears and I am at present reviewing the whole position. I have full confidence in BIM to deal with any problems of arrears in an equitable manner in consultation with the fishermen concerned.
My Department are at present in the process of holding public inquiries around the coast prior to considering designation of areas for aquaculture development in accordance with the Fisheries Act, 1980. When the designation process is completed individuals will then be licensed to operate in specified areas. There appears to be some misunderstanding, I believe particularly among some local authorities, about the possible effects of designation of areas for mariculture purposes on other activities in these same areas. I would like to assure them that their fears are unfounded and to stress that aquaculture development and other activities such as the establishment of industry and recreation can coexist in the same general area. Indeed aquaculture development can provide raw material for industry in areas where potential for industrial development is limited. In any event I will of course have full regard to all representations made by the various interests concerned in the course of the public inquiries before making the relevant designation orders.
BIM continues its mariculture grants scheme for both pilot and commercial fish farming projects. This scheme, coupled with the FEOGA grants available for such projects, plays a crucial role in the development of this sector of the industry.
There is, I believe, considerable scope for the development of mariculture in this country and I am examining ways and means by which that development can be accelerated. We enjoy many advantages here for mariculture development. These include a long coastline and relatively unpolluted waters, but careful planning and research is essential to ensure success. I welcome the appointment of a full-time manager by the Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society and I look forward to the implementation of the development plan prepared by the society for the conservation and rational development of the valuable Tralee oyster beds for which considerable State and EEC aid is being provided.
The Sectoral Consultative Committee on Fisheries has presented its report to the Sectoral Development Committee and I expect that the final report will be available shortly. I am confident that the considered recommendations of both committees will be of great benefit to the Government in deciding new policies and strategies for charting the future course of the industry.
Our first year's experience of the Common Fisheries Policy was not an altogether happy one, mainly because of the late agreement in December 1983 on Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas. That particular problem was be devilled by an ongoing wrangle over the share out of newly-available herring in the North Sea which thankfully was resolved in December 1983, thus leading to agreement on stocks of interest to us. We were immediately presented with proposals for 1984 TACs and quotas and I am very happy that these were agreed at the meeting of Fisheries Ministers on 31 January 1984.
In regard to the details of the quotas' agreement I am satisfied that we have obtained the best deal possible, given the state of some of our stocks, particularly herring. We have attained our "Hague" target overall, shortfalls in our herring allocations being compensated for by additional quantities for other species, mainly mackerel.
We are now in a position for the first time to implement the terms of the Common Fisheries Policy in the areas of TACs and quotas without which other aspects of the policy, such as access, conservation and control are rather meaningless. Thus I see 1984 as offering the first real test of the CFP and I have every reason to believe that it will pass that test.
Deputies will be aware that the export refund for whole frozen mackerel was abolished with effect from 1 November 1983. With the aid of this refund and, may I add, the marketing arm of BIM, a successful export trade to Nigeria in particular was built up. I protested vigorously to the EEC Commission about the abolition of the export refund for mackerel and as a result of my protest an examination of the Irish mackerel market was undertaken by Commission officials. Unfortunately the Commission maintained that our problems stemmed primarily from the high cost of finance charges here and thus could not be properly dealt with in a fisheries measure.
I believe that the abolition of the refund is a reflection of the severe strain on the finances of the Community which, as we know, has already had effects in other sectors particularly in agricultural products.
The advisory committee on marketing, which has been meeting under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael D'Arcy TD, Minister of State at my Department, has done very valuable work in the past year in making practical suggestions for the improvement of marketing arrangements for fish. BIM are also continuing their efforts in locating remunerative markets abroad for Irish fish and I recently visited Japan with officials from the board in order to carry out an examination of the market potential there. As a result of the visit, which was very encouraging, representatives of a number of Japanese firms will be visiting Ireland shortly for discussions with Irish exporters.
Irish exports to Japan have increased from £38,000 in 1981 to £844,000 last year, mainly frozen herring roe and frozen and smoked salmon. The exporters are now looking at prospects for herring, mackerel and consumer packed shellfish, including crab and Dublin Bay prawns. Recently the Japanese Government have become committed to improving the level of imports, particularly from the EEC, to balance exports from Japan and I am confident that Irish fish exports can secure a satisfactory measure of the improved markets likely to be available.
A positive result of a recent EEC Council of Ministers meeting was an agreement that the Commission would carry out a study of the Community's herring market which has been severely depressed for some time. We have participated in this study and I hope that following examination of the report action will be taken by the Community which will give a much needed boost in demand for our herring landings.
As Deputies are aware mackerel represents almost 60 per cent of our national catch and the marketing of this species is therefore of paramount importance to our fishermen. We have in recent years been largely dependent on the Nigerian market and concern has been expressed by my Department and BIM on the dangers of dependence on one particular market. There are problems in exporting fish to Nigeria at present because the new Government there has become rather restrictive in issuing import licences which are now required for all imports into that country. This problem is incidentally not confined to fish but applies to most commodities. Everything possible is being done to expedite the issue of licences and I hope that the problem will be satisfactorily resolved. At the same time efforts are continuing to diversify mackerel exports to other markets.
The amount allocated this year in Subhead C.2 of the Vote for fishery harbour improvement works is £2.7 million. This sum is needed to pay for work in progress at the start of the year and the balance will be used to commence some urgently needed new works.
During the last year work on the Howth development scheme progressed satisfactorily. Work on the west pier has been completed except for resurfacing which is expected to be put in hand shortly. The syncrolift and boat yard have been completed. A contract has been passed for the provision of a new ice-plant and work is scheduled to commence shortly. Arrangements were completed with Dublin Corporation for landscaping the sea front.
At Castletownbere work on the provision of an effluent treatment plant has now been completed.
At Killybegs the erection of a telephone exchange building to provide a much needed improvement in communications is also virtually completed.
At Rossaveal a sectored navigational light to guide vessels from the open sea into the approach channel in Casla Bay has been erected. A net and gear storage compound as well as a net repair area have been provided. A harbour master has been appointed. A comprehensive brief on which the overall development plan will be based was forwarded by my Department to the Office of Public Works. At present marine engineers of the Office of Public Works are working on the plan and are endeavouring to have it available at an early date.
A major development scheme at Caherciveen was completed. Works on other major schemes are progressing satisfactorily at Kilcummin and Killala in County Mayo and at Portevlin, County Donegal. The schemes at Kilcummin and Killala are expected to be completed this year and the scheme at Portevlin is due for completion early in 1985. A minor scheme at Liscannor, County Clare, was completed and work is in progress on the pier at Seafield, County Clare. Work started recently on a scheme at Rathlacken, County Mayo. Rock armouring of portion of the West Wall at Kilmore as a first stage of a development scheme for the harbour has been carried out. Arrangements have been made with Donegal County Council for replacement of the fendering on the pier at Rathmullan.
During the present year the main contract work will be completed at Howth as will be also surfacing of the west pier and the necessary amenity works. Ongoing works will also be completed at a number of other landing places. Provision has been made in the harbour development programme for the construction of the syncrolift at Killybegs and for essential repairs to the pier at Schull as part of a major improvement scheme there. In all, work is expected to be undertaken at over 20 landing centres in the current year.
I now turn to the inland fisheries. 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. Considerable progress has been made by the boards in the law enforcement area.
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. This scheme provides for the rationalisation of staff structures and salaries and for improved deployment of all staff. A superannuation scheme for the staff of the central and regional boards was finalised in July 1983 and all eligible staff are now being given the opportunity to make provision for a pension for both themselves and their dependants. In the context of the proposed staff scheme substantial increases have been approved for the protection staff of the regional fisheries boards.
The most important aspect of our inland fisheries is our salmon fisheries. In 1983 the total weight of the salmon catch by all fishing methods was 1,512 tonnes valued at approximately £6.7 million as compared with 908 tonnes valued at £3.9 million in 1982. The overall weight of our salmon catch in 1983 showed an increase of almost 67 per cent on the 1982 catch. While this increase in the salmon catch is very encouraging the overall stock situation must still be very carefully monitored. Illegal salmon fishing is still a major problem and the flagrant disregard shown by some fishermen and salmon dealers for the necessary salmon conservation measures in force, is difficult to understand. Salmon stocks are being protected for the benefit of present and future generations of fishermen.
I carried out a comprehensive review of salmon conservation measures, involving consultations with all sections of fishermen, and fishery boards, as well as studying all the relevant facts and statistics available before the commencement of the present salmon fishing season. My consultations with the various interests involved showed a wide divergence of opinions. However, I have the ultimate responsibility for the conservation and rational exploitation of our salmon stocks and the overall national interests have to take precedence over individual groups or sectors of the industry. There is also an onus on me to ensure that, as far as possible, catches are equally distributed between the different categories of fishermen, something which is very difficult to achieve.
There was a sharp fall in salmon catches in the late seventies and as a result my predecessors had no option but to introduce stringent conservation measures to protect our valuable salmon stocks. That these measures were necessary has, I feel, been proven by the fact that catches of salmon have fallen from over 2,000 tonnes in 1975 to about 600 tonnes in 1981. I am glad to say, however, that catches have since increased and the 1983 catch was, as I indicated earlier, up to 1,500 tonnes. That is not to say, however, that we no longer need conservation measures. It is essential for the maintenance of these valuable stocks that there is sufficient escapement into our rivers each year to allow for adequate spawning to maintain the necessary levels of recruitment in future years.
There has been in recent years a lot of criticism and differences of opinion about our conservation measures. Some fishermen consider they are oppressive, others maintain that they are inadequate or are not being properly enforced. There have also been clashes between fishermen and fisheries protection staff, which is something I abhor.
The main changes I decided to make were as follows: (1) The ban on the use of monofilament nets for salmon fishing to be retained but the regulation is to be amended to ensure that fishermen engaged legitimately in fishing for species other than salmon are not liable to conviction. I hope to have the necessary amending order made within the next week or two; (2) The extension of the commercial net fishing season by one week in the southern fisheries region, that is up to 8 August, and the further extension of the season in this region for draft nets and snap nets to 13 August; (3) The fishing season for draft nets, snap nets and loop nets to continue for one week after the close of the drift net season in all areas except the east coast, and in the southern fisheries region.
While from the point of view of the value of the catch salmon is our most valuable freshwater species, the importance of our brown trout and coarse fisheries as an amenity and a tourist attraction should not be overlooked. The Central Fisheries Board are at present preparing a development plan covering trout, coarse fish and sea angling as well as salmon which I hope will result in big improvements in these fisheries in the longer term.
The Salmon Research Trust of Ireland which is funded jointly by my Department and Messrs. Arthur Guinness, Son & Co., Ltd., continues its research into the biology of the salmon and the factors bearing on its future survival as a species. A grant-in-aid of £56,600 is allocated to the trust for 1984.
Contributions towards the expenses of running the Foyle Fisheries Commission are made jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. An amount of £130,000 is included in the Estimate to meet our share of the commission's estimated deficit in 1984. Increased expenditure on wages and salaries is the main reason for the commission's increasing deficit. I am satisfied however that the commission is making every effort to keep its annual deficit to a minimum level while continuing to fulfil its responsibilities under the Foyle Fisheries Acts to conserve and manage the fisheries of the Foyle area. Licence duties payable for fishing licences in the Foyle area have been increased by the Commission for 1984 with a view to reducing its annual deficit. I recommend this Estimate to the House.
I am now going to deal with the main features of the Forestry Vote. The nett provision for forestry activities for this year is £36.564 million and while at first sight this amount, representing a 1 per cent increase over last year's outturn, may appear low, Deputies will see that the overall demand on the Exchequer has been reduced quite substantially by receipts under subhead J — appropriations-in-aid — which are expected to increase by 10 per cent during the year. As the bulk of the appropriations-in-aid is derived from sales of timber, the nett demand on the Exchequer should continue to fall in future years as timber plantations established in the earlier decades reach maturity and yield increasing revenue, especially from the sale of commercial sawlog.
I would like now to give the House more detail in relation to the contents of the Estimate. I shall confine my remarks to the more important subheads, with comments on certain aspects which I feel require some further elaboration.
Subhead A1.: Under this subhead provision is made for the salaries of all "established" staff in the Forest and Wildlife Service. The subhead also includes a sum of £460,000 in respect of housing allowances payable to foresters. The number of staff provided for, about 1,065, comprises administrative, professional and technical staff including inspectors, engineers, surveyors, mapping and forester grades and represents a reduction of 32 as compared with last year.
Subhead B. as a whole embraces a variety of elements but two aspects call for comment. Firstly, under part (1) of the subhead, I would point out that the bulk of the expenditure on travelling is incurred domestically in connection with the day-to-day running of the widely-scattered forest estate. While every effort is being made to effect economies in travelling expenses it must be realised that travelling is an unavoidable feature of forestry work. The proportion of expenditure incurred on foreign travel is small and arises mainly from representation at EEC and other inter-governmental meetings abroad. Secondly, the provision of £540,000 in subhead B.2. refers to the cost of postal, telephone and telegram services provided by the newly-established Post and Telecom Boards — services which were hitherto provided by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
Subhead C.1. — Grant-in-Aid for acquisition of land: Under this heading a sum of £3.5 million is provided which, when added to a balance of about £1 million in the fund since last year, will make a total of £4.5 million available for the purchase of land for afforestation in 1984. At the end of 1983 contracts between my Department and landowners for the purchase of land for forestry purposes stood at over 9,000 hectares and it is estimated that some 6,000 hectares, about 15,000 acres, will come into the possession of the Forest and Wildlife Service in 1984.
I would be less than honest if I said that I was satisfied with this level of land intake, especially when the existing plantable reserve is so low. While the clearfelling of existing plantations is now making an increasing contribution to the pool of land for planting each year I will spare no effort to ensure that the maximum possible amount of funding for new land acquisition is provided in the years immediately ahead.
Subhead C.2. for which a total of some £26.6 million is being provided, is the focal point of the Forestry Estimate and relates to the development and management of the entire State forest estate which now comprises a total area of almost 400,000 hectares, of which about 350,000 hectares have been planted to date. The work involved embraces the extensive range of activities which inevitably arise in the management of a national forest estate. These include the production of nursery stock, implementation of the planting programme, the provision of forest roads and buildings, maintenance and protection of plantations, the purchase, hire and maintenance of machinery and various aspects of timber harvesting and conversion. The development of forest amenities, which I will be referring to in more detail in a moment, is also provided for under this subhead.
The pay element represents about 72 per cent of the funds in subhead C.2. and the overall increase in the subhead this year is attributable mainly to wage increases for forest workers. It may not be generally realised that the Forest and Wildlife Service is one of the biggest employers in the country, with a labour force of about 2,500 men working in some 250 widely-dispersed forests which are located for the most part in areas where alternative employment prospects are scarce.
In the current year the total area of new planting is expected to be 4,980 hectares and this will be augmented by the reforestation of some 1,680 hectares of clearfelled land, that is, areas from which a final timber crop has already been taken. I am particularly pleased to say that the area earmarked for the current year's planting programme includes some 300 acreas in various parts of the country which are being specially planted with ash to mark the GAA Centenary Year.
With the increasing emphasis nowadays on timber harvesting I should like to refer to the FWS Machine Operator Training Centre which has recently been provided at Mountrath at a cost of £115,000. As well as a training workshop, the centre includes office, canteen and leisure facilities. Training programmes will commence there within the next few months and while, initially, the main concentration will be on training the Department's own machine operators in the use of specialised harvesting equipment, such as forwarders, skidders, skyline units, etc., it is hoped at a later stage to expand the facilities to include training for private sector harvesting personnel.
In relation to amenity the funds required for the development of State forest amenities are also provided under subhead C.2. The policy of encouraging greater amenity and recreational use of State forests is continuing. The difficult financial climate in recent years has inevitably affected the provision of new facilities but I am glad to say that all existing areas are being managed to the traditional high standards. We now have a total of 11 forest parks throughout the country, apart, of course, from a range of lesser amenity developments at more than 400 other forest centres. The most recent of these forest parks was opened last week at Doneraile, County Cork. The beneficial effect of these amenities is amply manifested by continued public interest and it is gratifying to be able to say that more than 1.5 million visitors, many from abroad, now visit and enjoy the State forests annually.
During the past year a new caravan and camping park was opened in Currachase Forest Park, County Limerick, on a site provided by my Department. This development, undertaken by the MidWestern Regional Tourism Organisation (Shannonside) with the assistance of Bord Fáilte, has significantly enhanced the attractive facilities already available in this particular forest park.
Perhaps the most spectacular amenity development in the current year is the provision of a holiday chalet complex within Killykeen Forest Park, County Cavan, on the shores of Lough Oughter. This innovative and exciting venture, initiated by my Department — and, incidentally, using native timber throughout — is being financed jointly by the Government and the EEC Regional Development Fund. Contracts for the work, which is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department, have been finalised and construction is under way. I am confident that this project, when completed, will make a major contribution to the tourism potential of the region.
Subhead C.3. provides funds for the sawmills operated by my Department at Dundrum, County Tipperary, and Cong, County Mayo. The level of financial provision this year, which is approximately similar to that for 1983, will permit continuation of the on-going programme of modernisation of equipment and machinery and the general improvement of facilities at both sawmills.
I should add that the basic function of the sawmills is not to compete commercially with the private sawmilling sector but rather to provide the FWS with its own domestic requirements in a miscellany of sawn goods many of which are outside the normal range of items produced in the trade generally. In addition, the mills are increasingly engaged in research work in the sawing, grading and drying of timber as part of the ongoing FWS Research Programme carried out both by its own staff and through the IIRS.
The amount provided under subhead C4 — provision for Grant Assistance to Chipboard Products Limited — is intended merely as a token provision. I am pleased to announce that negotiations on the restructuring of the chipboard plant at Scariff, involving my Department and the Industrial Development Authority, have been sucessfully completed. A totally new private company, to be known as Finsa (Ireland) Limited, is being formed to acquire the assets of Chipboard Products Limited. It is expected to commence production in August next. By the end of 1984 Finsa plans to employ 110 people directly. As many as 60-70 jobs will arise in the harvesting and haulage of timber and as the project develops as Scariff further job opportunities are expected to arise. A long-term timber supply agreement between my Department and Finsa (Ireland) Limited has been concluded. This agreement, as well as assuring the new company of a proportion of its pulpwood requirements from State forests, will also facilitate the proper development of the forests. The agreement provides for payment of a positive price for State forest thinnings in contrast to the former arrangements whereby CPL not only received free timber but also enjoyed a harvesting subsidy of £7 per cubic metre. The arrangements are such as will afford a substantial outlet for sawmill residues and roundwood from private sources to meet the balance of the new company's requirements.
While the provision for private forestry grants in subhead D shows a slight reduction on last year's provision, this should not be interpreted as any dimunition of commitment by the Forest and Wildlife Service to private planting. Every encouragement will be given to applicants under the Department's planting grant schemes to undertake the afforestation of suitable lands and the FWS will continue to place its technical knowledge and expertise at the disposal of people interested in establishing forestry plantations on all or part of their lands.
I may say, however, that I am particularly disappointed at the lack of response by farmers in the west to the very generous grants available under the EEC Western Package for the afforestation of land marginal for agriculture but suitable for forestry. These grants amount to 85 per cent of the appoved costs of planting, subject to a maximum of £800 per hectare. I would strongly urge farmers to give serious consideration to planting any part of their holdings which is not capable of being used for agricultural purposes. Independent studies have shown that on certain types of lands higher rates of return may be obtained from forestry than from alternative land uses. Indeed EEC thinking also appears to be moving on these lines and a current draft EEC regulation strongly advocates engaging in forestry on land which is withdrawn from the production of agricultural commodities in over-supply. I may say that I am currently exploring some new possibilities which I hope will lead to a substantial expansion of the national afforestation programme through closer co-operative arrangements between my Department and private landowners.
I am, of course, only too well aware that there are historical, social and economic reasons for the relatively slow development of private forestry in Ireland in comparison with many other European countries. With a view to identifying the reasons for the lack of expansion of our private forestry sector the Forest and Wildlife Service recently held a very successful workshop entitled "Investment in Forestry — New Horizons". There was a full and frank discussion between the groups represented at the workshop of the factors inhibiting the expansion of the private forestry sector estate in Ireland. The Forest and Wildlife Service also took the opportunity during the workshop to launch a new brochure entitled "Investing in Forestry" which provides basic information relating to forestry operations and should prove helpful to those contemplating an investment in forestry but having no specialised forestry knowledge.
It is sometimes suggested that a special high-powered publicity drive should be undertaken to stimulate private forestry. While I would not rule out such a possibility, I believe that on-going promotion efforts will gradually produce better results. My Department are involved in activities such as advertising, publication of leaflets and brochures, media articles, exhibits at shows, contacts with rural organisations and so on. This campaign will be continued and intensified as much as possible and, in addition, greater emphasis will be placed on consultation with those other State agencies who have regular contacts with landowners with a view to promoting the forestry option as a worth-while form of land use.
Subhead E — Forestry Education — provides for the salaries, wages and allowances of inspectorate and domestic staff attached to Kinnitty Castle Training Centre and Avondale Extension School, as well as the general management expenses of both establishments. It also includes allowances for trainee foresters at Kinnitty up to March 1984.
The funds for maintenance and upkeep of the John F. Kennedy Park near New Ross, County Wexford, are provided under subhead F. The Park was opened in 1968 and now comprises 623 acres laid out and landscaped to provide facilities for education and research as well as for leisure and recreation. It includes an extensive arboretum, a forest garden and also a number of signposted scenic and arboreal walks, picnic sites, a visitor centre, car park and a combined cafe and shop. A total of 25 persons are employed in the park. To date 4,450 species and varieties have been planted and it is expected that this will increase to 6,000 ultimately. An average of 100,000 visitors visit the park each year.
The main provision in subhead G of the forestry vote relates to the remuneration of the wildlife ranger service which is very much involved in enforcing the hunting provisions of the Wildlife Act. For many years prior to 1983 subhead G also included a measure of assistance to regional game councils and others as a contribution to the cost of their game development schemes. Last year it was not possible to make any such provision but for 1984 — despite the continuing difficult economic situation — I felt that some provision, however modest it might have to be, in aid of the game movement was warranted. Accordingly, subhead G includes a sum of £10,000 which I trust will go some way towards defraying the organisational costs of game development. The Department will also continue to provide an advisory service for hunting organisations and others concerned with the development of game resources.
Funds for the wildlife conservation programme are provided for in subhead H, the provision for 1984 being £170,000. The Forest and Wildlife Service is making steady progress in this sphere despite the constraints imposed by the present economic situation. Research into wildlife habitats and species is a major element of the wildlife programme. The conservation of representative samples of sites of scientific importance is of particular concern, given the several competing land use demands.
The Forest and Wildlife Service has identified a number of such sites, of different types of ecosystems, around the country, particularly peatland areas, which are recommended for conservation as nature reserves. Most of them 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, I am examining the possibility of securing some allocation of funds that would permit the conservation of at least the most vulnerable habitats in a systematic way. I am pleased to say that to date 19 nature reserves have been established and are being managed by my Department. This number is likely to be increased during the year.
Research on a number of what may be termed as "problem species", such as seals and mink and studies on species such as the Greenland whitefronted goose for which we have international responsibility, will continue.
Public demand for information on wildlife and conservation is extremely keen and my Department continue to update and expand their educational leaflets for distribution to the public, especially school children.
On the international front, nature conservation has wide implications. The FWS continues to participate in various international organisations at EEC, Council of Europe and other levels and every effort is being made to fulfil this country's obligations under the many directives, regulations and international conventions which have emerged in recent years.
The Wildlife Rangers corps, which, as I have already stated, contributes to the enforcement of the protective provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1976, also plays a significant role in fostering an enlightened approach to conservation by their efforts at local level.
I would like, at this point, to pay a very special tribute to the work of the Wildlife Advisory Council. I have now appointed the members of the council who will hold office for the next three years. This is a voluntary group whose advice on a wide variety of wildlife conservation topics is of tremendous value to me and to my Department.
The bulk of the funds in Subhead I are allocated to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards for research on behalf of my Department. A major forestry objective is to ensure that the State timber resources are utilised to the best possible national advantage and to encourage import-substitution. This necessitates the continued utilisation of the expertise of the IIRS in the fields of timber technology and the promotion of native timber. The rapidly increasing output from State forests in the years ahead makes it imperative to have a continuous programme of research into the strength and durability of Irish timber, the development of preservation and drying techniques and the study of trends in timber usage — including the potential of timber-framed houses. This programme, funded by my Department, takes into account the forecast production of the large volume of wood, in different size-categories, which will come on stream during the 1980s and 1990s.
I referred briefly at the outset to the appropriations-in-aid of the forestry vote which are shown in Subhead J and which indicate the income accruing to the Forest and Wildlife Service. The substantial anticipated increase this year reflects the increasing buoyancy of the sawlog market and also the revenue from the sale of pulpwood through various outlets including the new medium density fibre-board plant at Clonmel. While obviously timber sales are and always will be the main source of income I may say that receipts from other sources — in particular some sporting rights lettings — have shown a welcome improvement in recent times.
Before concluding there are one or two general matters on which I would like to comment. While, as I have frequently stated, the public are always very welcome to avail themselves of the recreational and amenity facilities of the State forests, I would again stress the need for care in the prevention of fires. A fire can destroy in a few hours, not merely a very valuable public amenity but, even more important, an investment in the form of a plantation which will have taken many years and considerable public funds to develop. The Forest and Wildlife Service appreciates the co-operation given by the public down the years and which, thankfully, has kept fire damage to forests to a relatively low level. However, I make no apology for stating once more that many forest fires result from sheer carelessness or lack of thought and I would appeal for continued vigilance by the public particularly during periods of dry weather.
Apart from the fire and disease hazards which pose a threat to our forests, Deputies will no doubt be aware of an increasing concern which is being expressed in some continental countries, especially West Germany and Scandinavia, about the alleged damage to forests caused by acid rain. Acid rain is produced when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, released into the air after the combustion of coal or oil, mix with moisture in the atmosphere and fall back to earth as dilute sulphuric or nitric acids. While, in our situation, the lack of heavy industry and the prevailing westerly winds have reduced the likelihood of Irish forests being affected by acid rain, we cannot afford to be complacent and steps have been taken to monitor the rainfall and provide an early warning system should any deterioration occur. Incidentally, this monitoring system is being extended to cover lakes, as there is some evidence that acid rain can also be damaging to fish life.
I have now dealt at some length with the two Estimates involved in the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. If there are any other aspects which Deputies feel I should have mentioned and on which they require information I will only be too pleased to furnish it in my reply to the debate. Meanwhile, I commend the estimates to the House and look forward to the comments from Deputies from all sides.