andMr. Cluskey asked the Minister for Lands if he can give accurate figures with regard to the availability of thinnings from the State forests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forest Thinnings.
83.
As stated in the Second Programme for Economic Expansion, a long term forecast of thinning production from State forests was completed in 1963. Details of the forecast have been made available to manufacturers and other interested persons and groups. In the years that have elapsed since completion of the forecast actual thinning production figures have proved to be reasonably close to the forecast figures.
A further field survey now in hands will form the basis for a more detailed forecast scheduled to be completed by 1970.
Is the Minister not aware that an excuse is being given by the people in the mills that because of the absence of thinnings, they have to declare redundancies in their respective establishments?
The absence of thinnings has an effect on the factories?
Yes.
While that may be so, I can say that the forecasts the factories got were fulfilled as far as the Forestry Division were concerned. Some of these factories have very substantially increased their productivity. When they came for forecasts to my Department at the beginning, their requirements then were far less than they are now, due to increased business. We cannot cut down an issue of forest just to keep them going.
Is the Minister not aware that the employers in the paper industry have claimed that the forecasts made by his Department have been inaccurate, that the supply has fallen far short of the estimates and that they are experiencing great difficulty in regard to continuity of employment?
That is not factually true. In 1962-63, the forecast was 3.3 million cubic feet hoppus, and the thinnings produced 3.1 million cubic feet hoppus; in 1963-64, the forecast was 3.6 million cubic feet hoppus and 3.1 million was produced; in 1964-65, the forecast was 3.9 million and 3.5 million was produced; in 1965-66, the forecast was 4.3 million cubic feet hoppus, and 4.5 million cubic feet hoppus was produced.
Would the Minister tell us what is a hoppus foot?
I shall explain that later.
Arising from the Minister's reply and in view of the obvious contradiction, would he not take the initiative and have consultations with the paper manufacturers with a view to safeguarding the employment of the people concerned?
These people are continuously in touch with my Department through the trade. What I have stated is correct. With an expanding industry, the plans of many of these people have been changed. They need much more raw material now, due to increased throughput and expanding markets, than they did when they started. We will give them as much thinnings as we possibly can. We are conscious of their demands and try to go as far as we can. However, we cannot cut down immature forests.
The paper manufacturers say there is less sawdust now than ever before. I appreciate the Minister's position.
The Deputy knows this is a complex business. Some of these people are concerned with paper and others with chipboard and various other things.
Will the Minister now tell us what is a hoppus foot?
A hoppus foot is 1.273 of a natural cubic foot.
Now we know.
I love to give information.