Vol. 1 No. 3
I propose the following draft report: "The Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has completed its consideration of the following Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending 31 December, 1998: Vote 30, Marine and Natural Resources, Revised Estimate. The Revised Estimate is hereby reported to the Dáil". Is that agreed?
Report agreed to.
Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.
This was a constructive discussion. I thank the Minister and his officials. This is one of the rare platforms where there is the possibility for an exchange. The process of parliamentary questions is programmed and does not facilitate that freedom of exchange. I thank the chairman for his tolerance throughout this worthwhile debate.
I thank the committee for a constructive discussion. There are many issues involved - I forgot to discuss the trees which are causing the shade. A minimum of 20 per cent has been fixed for grant purposes. There is also the question of distances from dwelling places - 60 metres, and 20 metres from some public roads. There has been an effort to deal with this issue.
What is the Minister's view on the havoc forestry harvesting is causing on rural roads?
The bulk of EU funding is going towards the development of roads. I am envious because I would like some of it to be spent on roads in harbours such as Castletownbere.
Unfortunately, most of that money goes to national primary and secondary routes, not to rural roads.
I hope the Minister does not forget the names of the three mystery harbours under the Congested District Board.
Those are the North Harbour, Cape Clear; Liscannor and Cleggan, as well as about 15 other small ones.
I thank the Minister for addressing the committee in such a forthright manner. We do not always conform with protocolumn The discussion of Estimates is an opportunity for members to get information which affects their constituency. Deputy Sheehan has extracted almost all the information he can about south-west Cork. We will have an opportunity to discuss the annual report of Coillte in the not too distant future. This will help to clarify some of the problems raised.
