Dick Spring
Ceist:38 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the steps which are being taken by his Department to provide for downstream processing of timber in this country.
Written Answers. - Downstream Processing of Timber.
The downstream processing of timber is an important part of the strategy which is being followed to meet the increase in timber production expected in the nineties.
The sawmilling sector of the industry is currently being reviewed by an international consultancy firm. It is expected that this review will be completed in the next couple of months. Its findings will be examined and used where appropriate to develop future policy for the industry.
Efforts to attract a third pulp mill to this country are continuing. The IDA and Coillte recently completed an extensive marketing campaign in the US, Canada and Japan to encourage the world's leading pulp and paper companies to consider Ireland as a location for a wood pulp mill. The world pulp and paper industry is currently at the bottom of its traditional five-six year cycle, a fact which might be expected to make for postponement of expansion plans generally. Nevertheless, this marketing programme has resulted in a number of visits to Ireland. Discussions with interested companies will be pursued.