Vol. 558 No. 1
298 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed 22.5% reduction in funding to forestry will result in a loss to the Exchequer of ?1.1 million in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23624/02]
304 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effect the proposed 22% cut in funding to forestry will have on farmers who are depending on this funding as part of their income for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23372/02]
310 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the 1997 Government expenditure on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23614/02]
311 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to replace jobs which will be lost in rural communities as a direct result of the proposed reduction in funding to forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23615/02]
313 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the facts which have influenced his decision to implement the proposed 22.5% reduction in funding to forestry at a time of uncertain economic growth to enforce cuts to a programme that is self financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23659/02]
314 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed 22.5% reduction in funding for forestry translates into a 50% reduction in the planting programme for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23660/02]
315 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that half of the overall budget to forestry goes to payments of existing commitments from previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/02]
316 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed 22.5% reduction in funding for forestry co-funded by the EU, will lead to a loss of up to ?10 million in EU funds that can never be recovered; his views on whether this makes economic sense to lose this co-funded scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23662/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 304, 310, 311 and 313 to 316, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to priority Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 19 November 2002 on this matter.
