Gerry Reynolds
Question:13 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Energy the progress which has been made in replacing Ireland's sawnwood timber imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Imports.
Increasing timber production in recent years has reduced the demand for imports of sawn conifer timber from 220,000 tonnes in 1980, valued at £42 million, to 167,000 tonnes in 1989, valued at £48 million. A 55 per cent share in the Irish market for structural timber in particular is held by Irish sawmills, compared to about 10 per cent in 1980, and this figure is expected to increase to about 80 per cent by 1993.
Overall timber production will continue to increase and Ireland is expected to be a net exporter of coniferous sawnwood by about 1995. Measures in the private planting grant schemes operated by my Department to encourage the planting of broadleaves should also lead in the longer term to a reduction in imports of non-coniferous species.
May I ask the Minister if overall timber imports have shown an improvement comparable to that of sawnwood?
The statistics I have here relate only to sawnwood timber imports.