asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the considerable body of forestry research which has been taking place at Community level; and if it is applicable to this country.
Written Answers. - Forestry Research.
88.
Since 1983 the Commission of the European Community has subvented a multi-annual research and development programme on raw materials — the objective of which is to reduce the Community's dependence on imported materials by increasing the internal supply and developing material technologies.
This country, through the aegis of the Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department, the National Board of Science and Technology, University College, Dublin, the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and An Foras Talúntais, successfully submitted to the Commission proposals on research projects to be carried out over a three year period to 1985 under a sub-programme on wood as a renewable raw material. Subventions in aid of these projects were made by the Commission during the period from 1983 to 1985. Discussions are in progress with the Commission on the question of this country's participating in a new forestry research programme for the years 1986 to 1989. All forest research carried out under the EC is monitored by the Co-ordinating Committee for Forest Research (REFOR) on which this country is represented.