asked the Minister for Lands if he has received a letter from the Dublin Corporation, dated 13th February, 1947, asking that owners of trees, unsuitable for commercial purposes, be permitted to cut them down for their own use and for sale to citizens who cannot, at the present time, secure fuel of any kind for heating and cooking purposes; and if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cutting of Trees for Fuel.
The letter has been duly received and a reply has been sent to the corporation.
The legislation enacted by the Oireachtas requires the lodgment of felling notices before tree-cutting operations are undertaken but my Department is expediting consideration of all such notices connected with the provision of firewood for Dublin and elsewhere and is dealing as sympathetically and as rapidly as possible with them. The Department has already taken steps to supplement the fuel resources of the country by felling practically all the firewood available on State forests.
Can the Minister say whether his Department is prepared to make any contribution to the fuel pool which is being organised at present in Dublin?
The Department, as I have told the Deputy, has felled practically all the trees available, and is continuing to do so.
It is stated that there are large numbers of trees suitable for commercial purposes in the hands of the Minister's Department which are not being released. Does the Minister intend to release that type of timber to provide fuel for the people?
All the firewood in the hands of the State Department will be made available to the people.