asked the Minister for Energy the geographical location of the semi-mature timber offered for sale in June-July 1987 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Sales.
14.
asked the Minister for Energy the reason it is proposed to sell off £3 million worth of State forests; when it is proposed that the sale will take place; the method of sale which will be used; the measures if any, which are being taken to increase the acreage under State forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
asked the Minister for Energy the cost of marketing the semi-mature timber offered for sale in June-July and August-September 1987.
26.
asked the Minister for Energy the quantities of semi-mature timber offered for sale in June-July 1987; its location; the number of hectares in each site; and the tender accepted.
29.
asked the Minister for Energy whether the conditions of sale for semi-mature timber by his Department during 1987 changed between that proposed for June-July to the latest offer in August-September; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30.
asked the Minister for Energy if his Department's proposal to sell off approximately £3 million worth of semi-mature forest has been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32.
asked the Minister for Energy the acreage of land and semi-mature timber sold by his Department in July and September 1987.
39.
asked the Minister for Energy the result of the sale of semi-mature timber offered to the public in June-July 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to deal with Questions Nos. 14, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32 and 39 together.
In June 1987, 18 lots of immature forests totalling 452 hectares at various locations throughout the country were offered for sale by public tender competition. The land carrying the crop was to be leased to the purchaser for an appropriate term to allow time for the crop to mature and be harvested. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 24 July 1987. Tenders were accepted for six lots totalling 84 hectares.
In September 1987, 40 lots of immature forests totalling 1,058 hectares in various locations throughout the country were offered for sale by public tender competition. The land carrying the crop was included in the sale on this occasion. Closing date for receipt of tenders was 9 October 1987 and these are being examined. Details of the acreage and locations of the lots in both sales are in the form of a tabular statement which I shall circulate in the Official Report.
The cost of advertising the lots was in the region of £6,000. I am not in a position to disclose the details of tenders received as these are confidential. The reason for selling State forestry is to raise funding to expand the forest estate through additional planting without recourse to additional Exchequer funding. In the case of those tenders which I have classified as acceptable, I was satisfied that the prices offered were reasonable. I was not so satisfied in respect of the other tenders.
Sale of Immature Forests — Phase 2
Lists of Lots for Sale-Tender on 9.10.87
|
Forest |
Area(H.A.) |
|
Athy (Co Kildare) |
39.9 |
|
Glen of Imaal (Co. Wicklow) |
44.6 |
|
Laragh (Co. Wiclow) |
40.2 |
|
Shelton (Co. Wicklow) |
90.9 |
|
Anner (Co. Tipperary) |
21.7 |
|
Rossmore (Co. Tipperary) |
29.5 |
|
Kilsheelan (Co. Waterford) |
64.2 |
|
Clogheen (Co. Tipperary) |
49.6 |
|
Ballynoe (Co. Cork) |
5.5 |
|
Newmarket (Co. Cork) |
24.7 |
|
Banteer (Co. Cork) |
17.4 |
|
Ballynoe (Co. Cork) |
4.8 |
|
Ballynoe (Co. Cork) |
22.4 |
|
Ballynoe (Co. Cork) |
8.4 |
|
Avondhu (Co. Cork) |
6.3 |
|
Lisgoold (Co. Cork) |
11.0 |
|
Rathduff (Co. Cork) |
18.4 |
|
Rathduff (Co. Cork) |
20.2 |
|
Avondhu (Co. Cork) |
15.7 |
|
Corrakyle (Co. Clare) |
22.3 |
|
Lough Graney (Co. Clare) |
5.2 |
|
Feale (Co. Limerick) |
24.5 |
|
Feale (Co. Limerick) |
6.7 |
|
Ballygar (Co. Galway) |
5.1 |
|
Mountbellew (Co. Galway) |
17.8 |
|
Woodford (Co. Galway) |
24.7 |
|
Ballinasloe (Co. Galway) |
9.4 |
|
Ballinasloe (Co. Galway) |
14.6 |
|
Ardara (Co. Donegal) |
27.3 |
|
Dowra (Co. Cavan) |
104.8 |
|
Lough Eske (Co. Donegal) |
47.6 |
|
Raphoe (Co. Donegal) |
5.2 |
|
Raphoe (Co. Donegal) |
14.3 |
|
Stranorlar (Co. Donegal) |
28.6 |
|
Lough Eske (Co. Donegal) |
24.0 |
|
Lough Ennel (Co. Westmeath) |
43.0 |
|
Castlepollard (Co. Westmeath) |
8.0 |
|
Bailieboro (Co. Cavan) |
10.2 |
|
Killeshandra (Co. Leitrim) |
43.3 |
|
Swanlinbar (Co. Cavan) |
35.5 |
|
Total 40 lots |
1057.5 H.A. |
Sale of Immature Forests — Phase 1
List of Lots for Tender on 24.7.87
|
County |
Forest |
Area (H.A.) |
|
Kildare |
Athy |
40 |
|
Wicklow |
Tinahely |
10 |
|
Wicklow |
Tinahely |
30 |
|
Wicklow |
Glen of Imaal |
45 |
|
Kilkenny |
Castlecomer |
53 |
|
Tipperary |
Anner |
22 |
|
Cork |
Ballynoe |
6 |
|
Cork |
Newmarket |
24 |
|
Cork |
Banteer |
17 |
|
Cork |
Ballynoe |
5 |
|
Clare |
Tuamgraney |
23 |
|
Tipperary |
Newport |
7 |
|
Galway |
Mountbellew |
18 |
|
Mayo |
Glenisland |
9 |
|
Donegal |
Ardara |
27 |
|
Cavan |
Dowra |
68 |
|
Westmeath |
Castlepollard |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
Lough Ennell |
43 |
|
Total 18 lots |
452 H.A. |
I was not able to reiterate the statement of the Minister of State in respect of the number of questions being taken with Question No. 14. The following questions are being taken with Question No. 14: Nos. 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32 and 39.
The Minister in his reply intimated that only six of the 18 lots in the first offer were successful. He did not intimate in his reply whether he was satisfied with the geographical locations selected. Were the areas selected not in the more remote and inaccessible parts of our forests?
The lots were chosen from a wide variety of areas throughout the country and for varying ages and species. In the majority of cases they were quite accessible and very good properties.
In view of the fact that his response was not as good as it should have been, does the Minister of State feel that the marketing strategy adopted was not up to the standard it should have been? The Minister of State may be aware that there was criticism in the press in relation to that aspect during the summer months. Could he tell us also whether the establishment of the proposed commercial State company, which is going to look after all aspects of forestry, will have the desired impact in the marketing area and improve the position in regard to proposed sales?
To answer the second part of the Deputy's question first the new board will be established very early in the New Year and decisions relating to commercial exploitation of properties of that kind will be a matter for the board. There is always room for improvement. I would be the first to admit that the overall results from the sale of the semi-mature timbers around the country did not realise the amount of money we had anticipated. Nevertheless, there is a clear indication from the tenders which were found to be acceptable that there are distinct possibilities, even though they may be limited, for expanding forest enterprises. In relation to marketing strategy, this is a new development and was the first stab at this kind of marketing. It does require further refinement. I also accept that a number of the institutions who may have been interested and who have previously invested in properties abroad may require somewhat more time to process and examine this matter. The examination of estates of this nature is a very complex matter, since it has been the first opportunity to do so. I will have an open, flexible way of dealing with this matter in the future, when we will take into account any lessons learned in relation to the first offer.
I wanted to bring in Deputy Mac Giolla but it is now time to proceed to priority questions. I will allow the Deputy a brief question.
Did the Minister say that land was included in the second forty lots of 1,000 hectares, that both the land and the forests were sold? Would the Minister not consider that to be depriving the Forestry Department of land for further planting? What arrangements has he made for further planting in that area. Also would he say whether there are other lots to be sold now?
In the context of the legislation which will be introduced in the House in relation to the establishment of the new board, it will be my intention to include a proviso that land used for afforestation purposes will continue to be used for that purpose in the future, that it will be possible to regulate future grants to ensure that such happens. In regard to the question of the sale of land I should say this was a decision taken by the Government. In the circumstances I am satisfied that it was the correct decision. Indeed I should say that the funds accruing from the commercial sale of these properties will be used to enhance and increase the overall acreage under afforestation and, at the same time, relieve the taxpayer of the continuing burden of having to finance this.
I must now deal with questions nominated for priority.
Might I ask your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to be allowed participate if you are considering allowing time for an Adjournment debate this evening on the ISPCC. The Chair has received a number of requests for an Adjournment debate on the question of the ISPCC. I should like to add my request to those others.
I will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.