|
|
|
|
APPENDIX XXI.DEPARTMENT OF LANDS (FORESTRY BRANCH):(1) THINNING OF FORESTRY PLANTATIONS;(2) APPORTIONMENT OF TRAVELLING EXPENDITURE AS BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.Cléireach, An Coiste um Chuntais Phoiblí. At the proceedings of the Committee of Public Accounts on the 8th May, 1958, I undertook to furnish statements (1) regarding the practice of the Forestry Division in regard to the thinning of plantations and (2) regarding the proportions of the expenditure on Travelling as between private and public transport. (1) The practice of the Forestry Division is that where thinning is necessary as a silvicultural operation, i.e., to ensure the maximum productivity of the plantation and, in particular, of the final crop, it is invariably carried out even if this involves felling and removing the thinnings at a loss or without prospect of sale. There is, however, no absolute rigid timing for the thinning of a plantation and the operation can normally be brought forward or deferred to some extent without detriment to the crop, if circumstances render such action desirable. The circumstances regarded as justifying such action would include: (a) market conditions for the produce; (b) the maintenance of regular supplies of suitable material for industry; (c) the maintenance of employment stability in the forest. Market conditions would include the possibility of a better sale arising from the improvement of access, e.g., new roads. All these and other considerations are taken into account when the forest programmes are being settled. (2) An analysis of expenditure on Travelling and Subsistence (Subhead B) of the Forestry Vote for 1956/57 shows that approximately £33,500 was spent on Travelling and £5,800 on Subsistence. Of the travelling expenditure, approximately 10 per cent. was in respect of public transport and hired car (mainly the latter) and the balance on private cars, motorcycles and bicycles. The greater proportion (some £21,800) of travelling expenditure was in respect of Foresters’ travelling. In the case of Foresters, the use of bus or rail services is almost invariably out of the question. The only alternative to private vehicles, when mechanically-propelled vehicles are necessary, is the use of hackney cars which are more costly and time-consuming than private cars. Inspectors, most of whom are now headquartered in provincial towns, must rely on their own or hired cars, for visits of inspection to the forests in their district which constitutes their main duty; the location of forests normally precludes public transport. They do, in fact, use public transport for journeys from their Headquarters to Dublin, and these are virtually the only occasions on which such transport can be utilised. (Signed) T. O’BRIEN, Secretary, Department of Lands. 29 May, 1958. |
||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
