Is the Minister aware that people have doubts in regard to the value of this review group in view of the fact that the Minister set up his own internal review committee within his Department and that his technical experts have advised him that there is a need for a commercially orientated semi-State organisation to fully exploit our timber resources? He has expert advice available to him inside-and outside the industry——

Could the Deputy please ask a question?

People are sceptical about a review body which seems to be comprised of those whose interests totally conflict——

If the Deputy does not ask a question I will move on to the next one.

Could the Minister clarify the value of this review group when he has already——

That is argument.

As the Deputy said, I have the views of an internal group in my Department. Is the Deputy suggesting that I should not consult with other groups directly involved in the industry or that I should impose something on the industry?

I would like some indication of the expertise of the members of the review body.

I am calling Deputy Mac Giolla.

This question was addressed to the Minister for the Public Service but it was transferred to the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry because the Minister would not wish to get rid of his own Department. While the review body are sitting for a number of years, what steps does the Minister intend to take to prevent the export of 12 per cent of our best quality timber to Northern Ireland and to increase the output of timber to ensure that our mills are not operating at 60 per cent capacity? In his reply the Minister referred to the National Development Corporation but I cannot recall exactly what he said. What role does he see for this mythical corporation in the development of our forests because I believe such an organisation does not exist?

Never mind about belief, ask a question.

What did the Minister say about the National Development Corporation which, I understand, does not exist?

With regard to the Deputy's remark about the review body sitting for years, I have already stated that I have given a deadline of 1 June 1985 to the review group to report. I have said this twice already. It is a question of months, not years. I refuse the allegation that the vast bulk of the best of our timber is going North.

I know that 12 per cent is going North.

It is more like 11 per cent. The input of the National Development Corporation to this area of activity will be decided when the review group have published their report and, if relevant, they will become involved in the further development of the industry.

Can the Minister say what timber and afforestation experience the members of the review body have? He also said earlier that he did not want to impose something on the timber industry which they did not want. In this regard is he now telling the House that the timber industry does not want this semi-State body although they recommended the setting up of such a body on numerous occasions? Is he aware of the tremendous opportunity for afforestation and expansion of the timber industry here to make a contribution to the economy?

I am fully aware of the potential of the industry and that is why I want to make sure that what we do now, when production is coming onstream in a substantial way, is the right way to do things. In order to ensure that, consultations should take place across the board. In relation to the experience of the people involved in the review body, many of them have 30 or 40 years' experience of dealing with different aspects of the industry.

Could the Minister tell us the names of the members of this review body?

That seems to be a separate question.

Is the Minister prepared to tell the House who the members are?

It is public knowledge.

Would the Minister give an assurance that the people he has appointed to this review body are not just Fine Gael activists, because that is what they seem to be from the names which we have heard?

I was wondering when Deputy Molloy would come around to that in his usual way. They are not Fine Gael activists: they are people who have vast experience in the industry.

Mr. Hussey and Mr. O'Keeffe.

Mr. Hussey has forgotten more about forestry than the Deputy will ever know about it and I am privileged to have the services of Mr. O'Keeffe as chairman.

I am calling Question No. 11.

The Minister is blushing.

It would take more than the Deputy to make the Minister blush.