asked the Minister for Lands if the Government have plans to extend the planting of trees in this country in order to expand the production of paper, especially newsprint, extensively; if it is the case that this country has the smallest percentage of land devoted to afforestation in the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tree Planting.
54.
Cavan): My Department are extending the forest area each year. About 10,000 hectares are being planted annually in the State forest. The species planted produce wood suitable for a wide variety of uses including the making of paper.
It is quite true that this country has the smallest proportion of land devoted to forestry in the EEC but our current annual planting programme is one of the biggest per capita in the world. Moreover, it is an acknowledged fact that our production of wood per acre of land under forest is the highest in Europe.