asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that large quantities of timber have to be transported from County Wicklow to Mountmellick and Waterford for pulping, and, if so, if he will state whether his Department will establish a pulp mill in a suitable centre in County Wicklow, in view of the large area under forestry in that county.

The development and expansion of the existing wood-pulp industry can safely be left at present to private enterprise and the companies interested will, no doubt, take account of the location of the main sources of their raw material in planning the situation of their mills.