Vol. 352 No. 5
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if, in view of the poor take-up of EEC funds for private afforestation for either conventional forestry, or energy crops, he will consider setting up a non-Government agency, to promote afforestation.
27.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the extent to which the regional development organisations are involved in the development of private afforestation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
With a view to stimulating increased involvement by the private sector in forestry, my Department have been reviewing the whole position and some new initiatives are currently under active consideration. The establishment of a promoting agency of the kind suggested is not, however, envisaged.
My Department have no information on the level of involvement of regional development organisations in the development of private forestry but, of course, any appropriate initiatives by those organisations would be welcomed.
