Toddy O'Sullivan
Question:26 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the import figures of timber for each of the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 and its origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Timber Imports.
The Central Statistics Office is the statutory authority responsible for the collection of statistics for imports.
Information provided by that office indicates that timber imports in 1989 amounted to 244,920 tonnes at a cost of £77.3 million. The corresponding figures for 1990 and 1991 were 263,182 tonnes and 222,155 tonnes at costs of £87.5 million and £66.7 million, respectively. The main countries of origin were Sweden, Canada and the former USSR.
This reduction in imports over the period is a welcome trend and is enhanced by increased timber exports over the same period.