Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Apr 1987

Vol. 371 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Sales.

3.

asked the Minister for Energy if he has examined the report of the review group on sales of forest; and if he has any plans to change the tender and quota systems.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Quota/Tender Sales Systems for disposal of State-owned Timber. The report, which was published in 1984, was approved by the previous Government.

I have no plans to change the tender and quota systems. I have, however, already introduced further systems of sale, as recommended by the interdepartmental committee. These include auctions, three-year contracts for sawlog and, on a pilot basis, an extension to the quota scheme to cover small sawlog as well as large sawlog.

Would the Minister agree that the present system does not lend itself to stability within the timber trade and warrants revision? Would the Minister consider offering timber at a standard rate, at a fixed price, rather than on the present tender basis? Furthermore, would he say what his Government are prepared to do to combat the very unfair advantages for Northern Ireland operators in the South bearing in mind that they are subsidised to a much greater extent than are our operators in the South?

There would be no problem in relation to a tendering system had we sufficient supplies of sawlog. What we are talking about here, if you like, is a ration. I realise that it is contentious but the justification for it is that the sawmilling capacity exceeds fairly considerably the amount of sawlog available and the tendering system must obtain in that context. With regard to the Deputy's question as to standard prices, I am sure he will accept that timber for sale has to be subjected to the normal market forces. In relation to the third part of the Deputy's question, I should say that the problems the sawmilling industry has experienced by virtue of sales to the northern part of the country have presented difficulties. My Department have endeavoured to limit such sales to a fairly consistent percentage, ranging at present at approximately 9 per cent, but there are problems with regard to EC regulations. The previous Government had this matter examined by a special committee. It is one that is difficult to resolve.

Can the Minister explain why timber is being exported from Cahirciveen in County Kerry on a regular basis while there is a shortage of timber available to operators of sawmills here in Ireland?

As I have already explained, if there were sufficient quantities of sawlog available throughout the country we would not run into this kind of difficulty. One of the reasons we are at present effecting an increase in the acreage for plantation is to avoid that kind of cycle in the future, which would recur if we did not intensify planting now.

We are moving from a rather general interest to specific cases not provided for in the question.

The Minister of State has not yet explained why timber is being exported from Cahirciveen. Is the Minister implying that this timber is of inferior quality or not suitable for processing at home.

Far be it from me to suggest that anything at all coming from Kerry would be of inferior quality.

Top
Share