asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the amount and value of timber exported to, or purchased by, timber companies in Northern Ireland in 1984 to 1985; and the cost and method by which this was sold.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Exports to Northern Ireland.
19.
Mr. Coughlan
In so far as my Department are concerned, the extent to which information is available on the amount and value of timber exported to Northern Ireland relates only to timber sold from State forests to purchasers with addresses in Northern Ireland.
The amount of such timber and its value, which in many cases includes the cost of harvesting, is as follows:
1984 — 60,338 m³ — £1,131,685
1985 — 83,081 m³ — £1,655,295
Most of this timber was sold by tender.
Do these people purchase the timber standing in the forests or at the side of the forest roads?
As I said in the last line of my reply, most of this timber was sold by tender and I assume it was in standing forests.
Would the Minister accept that many people from Northern Ireland who purchase this timber in Donegal use labour from the Six Counties? Would the Minister consider selling this timber on the side of the road ensuring that sub-contractors in this State cut and trim these trees, thus providing more jobs in rural areas?
While I accept the good intention behind the Deputy's question, when timber is sold by tender the purchaser has the option of retrieving the timber from the forests either by methods such as those suggested by the Deputy or in his own way, which is apparently what is happening. I am not aware of the number of workers coming from Northern Ireland into Donegal, but under EC regulations I cannot stop people coming in to carry out such an operation.
I appreciate what the Minister said, but if we change the system we will ensure that our own people are doing this work. Perhaps the Minister or his officials would look at the feasibility of my suggestion over the next few months.
Has the Minister any information about timber being purchased by people in this State for business in the North? What is the volume involved?
There is evidence that some firms in the Republic are selling timber to the North but I cannot give the quantities involved. From the information we have I do not believe it is very extensive. Nevertheless, the Deputy is correct in suggesting that private individuals in the South are purchasing timber to sell in the North.
Can the Minister tell me the volume involved?
No.
We hear a lot of talk about importation subsidies, but there has been an increase of £500,000 in the value of timber in one year and most of that timber is returning to Ireland in pallets, benches, posts and so on. Would the Minister agree that it is time to reexamine the IDA and other grant aid for processing plants?
That is a separate question.
At present there is no additional aid for processing.
We have now covered the entire field.
I have given the figures for the two years mentioned in the question, but in 1982, 90,000 m³ of timber were sold to the North at a value of £1,317,000 and in 1980 2,500 m³ were sold. The figures for 1985 do not compare unfavourably with what happened in those years.
Will the Minister review grant aid for timber processing plants?