asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if distortions of trade and competitiveness are occurring in the timber industry, resulting in job losses in sawmills by a substantial amount of timber being disposed of outside the State; the action he proposes to take to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Timber Industry.
48.
In agreement with representatives of the Irish Timber Council I have recently set up an ad hoc committee representative of the sawmilling industry, the trade unions and the Departments concerned under an independent chairman to examine allegations about possible distortions of competition and trade in relation to the sale of timber from State forests to sawmills south and north of the Border and I have asked them to report to me within two months. Pending receipt of the committee's findings I do not wish to comment on the matter.
The Minister will be aware that substantial quantities of timber are being taken to places outside the State for processing while our mills are working at only half capacity. A number of sawmills closed recently, for example, the mills at Kilrush and Mountrath as well as a number in the Minister's constituency. These closures left a substantial number of people redundant. In the circumstances can the Minister provide any better answer than to tell us that another committee is to be set up? He will be aware of having received a report recently from one such committee who had sat for more than 12 months and who indicated the way in which this issue should be dealt with.
Again, the Deputy has engaged in some exaggeration. He asked first what action I was taking and when I told him what I had done in this area he was not prepared to accept that. I have set up an ad hoc committee for the purpose of ascertaining whether the problems he outlines are as he indicates. I have asked that committee to complete their work within a very short time — two months — and I trust that they will be able to conduct their investigation within that time. The committee's task is to ascertain whether there is distortion of competition and trade in relation to the sale of timber.
Under Article 34 of the Treaty of Rome which the Deputy's party accepted in the context of our accession to the EC, tenders may be accepted from nationals of other EC countries. In practice, only companies from Northern Ireland have submitted tenders to date. Regarding the other rather exaggerated claim made by the Deputy, the total sales of timber to Northern Ireland in the past three years have been as follows: 1983, 8 per cent; 1984, 8.5 per cent and 1985, 9.6 per cent. The matter should be put in perspective and not distorted.