Vol. 454 No. 6
19 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in publishing the report on the future strategy for farm forestry which was initiated by the former Minister of State for Rural Development and which was ready for publication prior to the change of Government. [11214/95]
23 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in publishing the report on the future strategy for farm forestry which was initiated by the former Minister of State for Rural Development and which was ready for publication prior to the change of Government. [11215/95]
34 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in publishing the report on the future strategy for farm forestry which was initiated by the former Minister of State for Rural Development and which was ready for publication prior to the change of Government. [11217/95]
85 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in publishing the report on the future strategy for farm forestry which was initiated by the former Minister of State for Rural Development and which was ready for publication prior to the change of Government. [11216/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 34 and 85 together.
I assume Deputies are referring to the proposed Strategy for the Development of the Forestry Sector to the Year 2015. This was not complete prior to the change of Government. Consultants were appointed to assist in the task of formulating the plan in May 1994. This phase of the work, which was scheduled to be completed by December 1994, has taken much longer than anticipated, with a knock-on effect on the overall timescale.
I attach considerable importance to this strategic plan and to getting it right. It will be the first comprehensive and integrated programme for development of the entire forestry sector, from forest nurseries through growing and processing to timber end-uses and woodcrafts which has been produced in Ireland. It will in essence provide the framework for development of the entire sector to the year 2015 and beyond. Following consideration by Government, I expect to publish the plan in the coming months.
