Bernard J. Durkan
Question:50 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total acreage of mature forest in respect of hardwood and softwood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27178/00]
Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.
The total acreage of mature broadleaf woodland, hardwood, currently stands at approximately 126,700 acres, while that of mature conifer woodland, softwood, stands at approximately 407,400 acres. An estimated further 59,800 acres of mature woodland is classified as mixed, i.e. conifer and broadleaf, which would generally consist of a minimum of 20% broadleaf species.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:51 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total acreage in respect of oak forest here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27179/00]
The national forest estate includes an estimated 20,700 acres of oak forest, an estimated 13,800 acres of which can be classified as mature.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:52 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current total acreage under forestry by species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27180/00]
The most recent data relate to the national forest estate as at end 1999. On that date, the estate totalled an estimated 1,567,000 acres, or just over 9% of the total land area of the State. The estimated breakdown per species was as follows:
|
Conifers |
Acres |
|
Spruce |
938,000 |
|
Pine |
171,000 |
|
Spruce/Pine |
94,000 |
|
Larch |
21,000 |
|
Other Conifers |
40,000 |
|
Broadleaves |
|
|
Oak |
21,000 |
|
Beech |
9,000 |
|
Other broadleaves |
164,000 |
|
Mixed forests (conifers and broadleaves) |
74,000 |
|
Clearfelled/Windblow |
35,000 |
|
Total |
1,567,000 |
The "other conifers" total includes Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Lawson Cypress, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar. The "other broadleaves" total includes Ash, Birch and Sycamore.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:53 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Resources the degree to which home-grown timber currently represents a potential replacement for imports in respect of hardwoods and softwoods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27181/00]
Domestically produced timber currently holds a share of about 42% of the Irish timber market. I believe that a combination of strategies aimed at the Irish market, as well as appropriate export strategies, offers scope to increase this market share substantially above the current level. A new timber industry development group, established by the Tánaiste, is currently working on this and related matters.