asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the Government's target figure for annual planting of State forestry; when it is expected that this annual target will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Forest Planting.
42.
An annual national planting target of 10,000 hectares is being maintained as an overall policy objective. However, it was decided in August 1982 that — (a) for the purposes of achieving this objective, reforestation and planting of privately-owned land should be taken into acount; and (b) pending an improvement in the land reserve situation in relation to State-owned lands and an acceleration of private forestry, an annual State planting programme, including reforestation, of the order of 7,500 hectares — to be augmented as much as possible by private planting — should be accepted as the most practical short term policy for the next five years. As the Deputy is aware, I recently launched a special publicity campaign aimed at securing an increase in private planting particularly under the EC western package.
Question No. 43 re-entered for oral reply.