asked the Minister for Energy the approximate analysis of commercial and non-commercial timber stocks in acres which his Department gave to Coillte Teoranta at the handover in December 1988; and their location.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Plantation.
10.
asked the Minister for Energy the unplanted land reserve which his Department gave to Coillte Teoranta on the handover of assets in December 1988; and the land transferred by Bord na Móna for the same purpose.
30.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the amount of land currently under plantation; the location of each plantation; the date it came under plantation; the type of trees planted; the plans he has for further afforestation; and the use to which the land is put at present.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 23 and 30 together.
The total area of land under forest at 31 December 1988, was 405, 671 hectares, that is 342,852 hectares owned by the State and 62,819 hectares owned privately.
Because of the amount of detail sought, I propose to forward the information to the Deputies within the week on the location, species and age of planted areas, and details of commercial and non-commercial areas of land handed over to Coillte on 1 January 1989.
The forest estate transferred to Coillte on 1 January last, included 1,642 hectares leased from Bord na Móna and a reserve of approximately 14,000 hectares of land suitable for planting.
The annual national afforestation targets set out in the National Plan are to double the rate from the 1988 figure of 15,000 hectares to 30,000 hectares by 1993. The private sector is expected to contribute to this target by an increase in planting from 7,500 hectares this year to 15,800 hectares in 1993. Coillte's planting rate is likewise expected to increase from this year's figure of 10,000 hectares.
Coillte's mandate under the Forestry Act, 1988, is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices, but they also have a duty to have due regard to the environmental and amenity consequences of their operations.
I should like to thank the Minister for his extensive reply but he did not indicate the state of the forest. There was an interest in private planting because it was expected that a semi-mature market would develop. Has the Minister any idea of the quantities of semi-mature timber Coillte took into stock on 1 January 1989?
There are a lot of figures involved in answering the three questions and the information sought by the Deputy will be provided in the reply that will be sent to him.
Is the Minister aware of the considerable disquiet about the monoculture in our timber industry? Is he aware that the pre-occupation with the various species of pine is causing extreme acidification of many of our rivers, particularly in his constituency, which is affecting fishing in those areas?
It is very important not to exaggerate the position. I am very conscious of the need to at all times follow an environmentally friendly policy. It would not be my wish that any activities of Coillte or the State in relation to afforestation should in any way damage our environment. It is clearly stated in the Acts in relation to afforestation projects that environmental considerations have to be carefully taken into account prior to decisions in relation to starting up planting operations. I would be very anxious to have the scientific information the Deputy may have that can be substantiated made available to my Department. He can be assured that if any evidence of that nature can be substantiated I will take whatever action is appropriate for me in order to ensure that we will not damage the environment through any activities of the forestry programme here.
The time has now come to deal with priority questions.