John Gormley
Ceist:126 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she intends to take on foot of the report on the timber and forestry industry as presented to her Department in 2002. [29962/03]
Written Answers. - Forestry Industry.
In so far as my Department is concerned, Enterprise Ireland is assisting the industry in implementing the relevant recommendations in the Timber Industry Development Group, TIDG, report. In this context, the report highlighted over capacity in the saw milling sector. Accordingly, support from Enterprise Ireland is being aimed primarily at helping companies to develop added value products and to improve process efficiencies. However, the over capacity problem has not yet been resolved and must be addressed within the industry as recommended in the report.
Further action regarding the implementation of the report is being pursued by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and this process will continue when responsibility for forestry relocates to the Department of Agriculture and Food in the new year.