asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the report of the forestry review group and the action, if any, he proposes to take on the report.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Forestry Review Group.
26.
The report of the review group on forestry was published on Wednesday, 11 December 1985 and a copy was circulated to each Member of the Oireachtas. The report will now be examined by my Department in consultation with other Departments and interested parties prior to the detailed consideration of the recommendations by the Government.
Can we get some indication from the Minister of State as to whether the Government propose to take some action on the review group report or will this join the other proposals in the Department dealing with every aspect of development? We have had a number of reports on forestry and most of the information contained in the recent one was already published by the Department and revised in 1983. Can we get some indication from the Minister of State as to what action he proposes to take, or will any action be taken, on the findings of the group?
It is hoped that the Government will give this report full consideration in about March or April 1986. That is my understanding from the Minister's timetable.
Is the Minister of State aware that the State planting programme at present is in decline? It has not reached its objectives and in the review group report which has been published there is no indication whatever that the group or even the Department wish to move in the direction of increasing planting targets. Is he further aware that the review group also envisage a very low financial priority for the Department in future? What action does he hope to take to deal with these two areas, the revision of the planting targets to increase the number of acres under plantation and the provision of finances to enable them to do the job?
To say that the programme is in decline is incorrect. It is not in decline.
It is in decline. Half the target this year——
This year we planted 7,000 hectares.
How much reafforestation was in that?
About 1,300 hectares.
You planted 5,000——
As with fisheries, if a report is available it is up to the Government who make the decisions to make their assessment of the report and make recommendations. The same applies to forestry as to the fisheries. I cannot run in front of a decision made by the Government. This is a very valuable report containing very good recommendations and it is up to the Government to make decisions in respect of those recommendations.