asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry (a) the number of acres of forestry lost in fires in each of the last three years, (b) the estimated cost og this damage, and (c) the facilities available to fight these fires.
Written Answers . - Forest Fires .
424.
: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
|
|
Year |
Forest area damaged by fire |
Estimated cost of damage |
Fire fighting facilities available |
|
(acres) |
£ |
||
|
1977 |
3,084 |
137,176 |
In addition to services made available by local fire fighting units and Army personnel, facilities are provided by the Forest and Wildlife Service which include—stocks of fire beaters, heater burners, smoke masks, portable water pumps; the provision of a water supply from natural and specially constructed artificial sources; the services of a forest staff trained in forest fire fighting. |
|
1978 |
939 |
42,157 |
|
|
1979 |
497 |
30,084 |
425.
: asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will have experts from his Department examine the use of fire fighting aircraft, particularly amphibious aircraft, in Canada and France; if he considers this type of aircraft a useful means of fighting outbreaks of forest fires; if not, why; and if he will recommend the acquisiton of such aircraft to the Minister for Defence for operation by the Air Corps.
: The question of using aircraft of the type referred to for the purpose of fighting forest fires was examined in my Department but was not considered appropriate, having regard to such factory as the general forestry situation, Ireland's climatic conditions and alternative fire control measures available. In the circumstances. I would not be disposed to recommed the acquisition of such aircraft.