asked the Minister for Energy if he intends to change the allocation tender system for timber material to allow small family run sawmills to compete; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that small, one and two man operated sawmills provide a very useful local service; and that many are closing down because of their inability to secure timber supplies.
Written Answers. - Timber Tenders.
145.
The commercial functions of the Forest Service were transferred to Coillte Teoranta, the new State forestry company on 1 January 1989. The question of timber sales is an operational matter for the company itself.
For the information of the House and for future reference, the functions which I have retained following the establishment of Coillte Teoranta are those relating to overall national forestry policy on a general level, the promotion of private forestry and EC forestry matters.