Vol. 364 No. 6
asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he will arrange to put all timber supplies from his Department on the open market for sale; if he is aware of the serious effect the new method of selling timber directly is having on small industries such as two companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41.
asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the serious situation which has developed for some small timber companies in view of the change in regulations on tendering for wood in the natural forests.
42.
asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the serious situation which now exists in relation to the supply of raw material to a company (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason this company is not allowed to tender for wood thinnings in its immediate vicinity; the steps he proposes to take to ensure that this company receives adequate supplies of timber thinnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 42, inclusive, together. The systems of sale operated by my Department and which are well established were examined in 1984 by an interdepartmental committee whose recommendations were accepted by the Government. My Department have not recently changed the procedure on tendering and no company has been disallowed from tendering for such supplies as are available for sale. I see no reason to change the sale procedures generally at this time.
I am aware that there has been some limitation of supplies of pulpwood/ stakewood in the Wicklow region and I am having the overall supply position examined as a matter of urgency to see how the problem can be eased.
Apart from two pulpwood processing companies which have partial supply contracts with my Department I am not in a position to provide individual supply contracts to all other customers of the Department. I am satisfied however that they can normally secure their reasonable requirements under the existing sale system of my Department in the open market.
I am surprised to hear that one firm named is alleged to be short of timber because according to my Department's records it has an adequate stock on hands.
