Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stocks of Timber. Wednesday, 26 March 1947

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 105 No. 2 Page of 30

Mr. M. O'Sullivan:    asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total quantity of timber, suitable for the purposes of the building trades, now available in this country, the proportion of such timber which was home-grown, and the main areas in which such timber is stored.

Mr. M. O'Sullivan:    asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any estimate has been formed of the quantity of timber which will be required to satisfy the needs of the building trades: (a) during the year 1947, and (b) during the year 1948; and the proportion of same which can be supplied from available stocks of timber or from available supplies and timber on order abroad.

Mr. Lemass:    I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.

For the building and constructional programme proposed for the years 1947 and 1948, it is estimated that 24,000 standards of timber will be required in 1947 and 34,000 standards in 1948.

On the 31st December last the total quantity of building timber available in the country amounted to approximately 10,000 standards, of which approximately 25 per cent. was home-grown.

The main areas in which this timber is stored are Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Sligo.

[162]Mr. D. Morrissey:    Would I be correct in saying that our average pre-war importation of timber reached 60,000 standards?

Mr. Lemass:    Yes.

Mr. D. Morrissey:    Therefore, even what is earmarked is not more than one-quarter to one-half of the normal pre-war quantity of timber used for similar purposes?

Mr. Lemass:    Yes. That estimate of our requirements is, of course, based upon the maintenance of the restrictions upon the use of timber in building and its substitution by other materials wherever practicable.

Mr. D. Morrissey:    I know, but it does not alter the fact that, even utilising it to the best possible advantage, the timber which will be available, or which is available, will represent only about half our pre-war building programme.

Mr. Lemass:    The figures I have given do not relate to the quantities which may be available. They are the minimum quantities of timber required to complete the contemplated building programmes in each of these two years.

Mr. D. Morrissey:    So that, therefore, even if the Minister's hopes are fully realised in regard to timber and he has timber sufficient to meet the requirements, that will still be only 50 per cent. of our pre-war normal building programme?

Mr. Lemass:    Yes, but these quantities would enable the full output of the building industry to be utilised in the two years on the basis of maintaining the present restrictions on the use of timber.

Mr. D. Morrissey:    Yes, but it would still be only about a 50 per cent. result.

Mr. M. O'Sullivan:    asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantity of timber now on order in foreign countries and the probable date or dates of delivery of these stocks.

[163]Mr. Lemass:    Information is not readily available as to the quantity of foreign timber now on order by the various importers. It is not anticipated, however, that they will be able to obtain for delivery at various periods throughout the year more than 25 per cent. of the quantity imported in normal times.

General Mulcahy:    Will the Minister say if there are quantities of timber on order other than through Timber Importers, Limited?

Mr. Lemass:    Oh yes. All hard wood timbers are brought in by private concerns.

General Mulcahy:    The Minister only refers to hard wood?

Mr. Lemass:    No. The question relates to all timber.

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