asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will be prepared to lift the restrictions on the export of timber; and, if not, if he will state the reasons for such restrictions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions on Export of Timber.
50.
Apart from logs of veneer quality which it is necessary to conserve for our new veneer mill, ash, beech and sycamore are the only timbers on which a serious export limitation is at present imposed. The latter are allowed to be exported only when sawn to small dimensions. There is a scarcity of these timbers and the control is maintained in the interest of the manufacturers who use them.
All other timbers are allowed to be exported freely, either in the round in the case of certain softwoods, or very roughly sawn in all other cases. I see no need to alter these restrictions at present.
Since when has the Minister allowed the unrestricted export of softwood in the round?
That was consequent on a conference recently in my Department with the interests immediately concerned.