John Ellis
Question:131 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to encourage forestry development. [4851/95]
Written Answers. - Forestry Development.
John Ellis
Question:134 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to deal with the situation outlined in the NESC report No. 97 which states that the case of forestry reveals a common weakness in Irish rural development such as the lack of policy co-ordination at different levels and among different arms of public administration; the proposals, if any, he has to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4854/95]
I will take Questions Nos. 131 and 134 together. The current programme for forestry development is based on the operational programme for agriculture, forestry and rural development 1994-99 and the forestry elements of the CAP. The objectives of the programme are to increase the forest area and timber production and develop an efficient downstream processing sector, thereby developing the forestry based industrial sector, diversifying the rural economy, promoting the reform of agricultural structures, providing additional employment and stimulating rural development. In this regard, I recently announced a major national forestry drive to plant 90,000 hectares over the next three years. In addition, a strategic plan for development of the forestry sector to the year 2015 is currently being prepared. This will address the integrated development of the entire sector, from forest nurseries through growing and processing to timber end-uses and woodcraft.
The role of forestry as an agent of rural development will be encompassed by the strategic plan. In providing an integrated framework for the development of forestry in its broadest sense over coming decades, the plan will have the objective of ensuring that all those involved with forestry, whether in the public or private sectors, will work in concert towards achieving the goals which it sets.
I expect to be in a position to publish the plan by the summer.
John Ellis
Question:132 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the amount of forest at present given over to leisure purpose by Coillte; and the plans, if any, Coillte and his Department have to develop forest amenities throughout the country. [4852/95]
Coillte allows access to the public to all of its forests which are used by them for a range of amenity and recreational activities. It is not feasible, therefore, to spatially define the area of forest land used for leisure purposes. The company maintains, however, over 180 amenity areas throughout the country, including forest parks, picnic sites and woodland walks, and is actively looking at ways to facilitate greater uses of its forests for public recreation and amenity development.
In so far as my own Department's plans for the development of forest amenity areas are concerned, new schemes for urban and amenity forestry will be announced within the next few months and these will be actively promoted. Particular emphasis will be placed on linkages with tourism and on involving local authorities and communities. The Department has operated a planned recreational forest grant scheme for the past few years. Uptake on this has, however, been limited.
John Ellis
Question:133 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to discuss with the Northern Ireland authorities the development of a forest industry on a national basis; the meetings that have taken place with regard to its development; when further meetings are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4853/95]
A joint forestry liasion group was established in late 1992 by decision of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. Officials of the Northern Ireland forest services and the forest service of my Department meet twice yearly to discuss issues of mutual interest, and to exchange information on developments in both jurisdictions, including the progress of our national strategy for the development of the forestry sector, for example. The next meeting is planned for the summer.