asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if the production of ash trees in forestry has increased in the past four years and if the GAA county boards and clubs have cooperated with the local foresters with a view to obtaining the ash trees for hurley manufacture.
Written Answers. - Ash Tree Production.
273.
The volumes of ash suitable for hurley manufacture offered for sale by the Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department over the last four years were as follows: 1976, 20,000 cubic feet; 1977, 16,000 cubic feet; 1978, 20,500 cubic feet; 1979, 12,000 cubic feet.
Ash is normally sold to hurley manufacturers and not direct to the GAA. Availability of ash is based, of course, on planting carried out 25 to 30 years ago.
My Department are conscious of the association's need, and plant ash trees in State forests where suitable sites are available. I met representatives of the GAA recently to discuss their problems in this connection.