asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the present crisis in the sawmilling industry due to the shortage of timber supplies; and the steps being taken to remedy the situation.

I cannot accept the suggestion that any problems that may currently be arising in this industry are attributable solely to the supply of raw material by my Department. Various other factors, for example, the level of activity in the private building sector and resistance on the part of some major sawmillers to distributor pressures for unduly low prices, would also influence any such situation.

In so far as timber supply is concerned, my Department have undertaken to make available 600,000 cubic metres of sawlog this year and, in fact, approximately half of that volume has been offered to date. My understanding is that the aggregate supply proposed for the current year will be adequate to meet the industry's anticipated requirements in the prevailing market situation.

The Minister must be aware that in recent times there have been problems in some of the small sawmills particularly in Mountrath and Kilrush. There is an urgent need to do something quickly to deal with this. Can we have an assurance from the Minister that he will speed up the provision of lots of timber on the market to enable mills like these to get supplies?

On the industry's own assessment their sawmill capacity is 40 per cent to 50 per cent greater than the total national supply. The Deputy knows that as well as I do. Two-and-a-half years ago he was Minister——

The Minister should tell us what he is doing.

Nature must take its course. I cannot make timber grow faster than nature.

The Minister could put the timber on the market. He has another 300,000——

Have I?

The Minister said half of 600,000 cubic metres. Put the balance on the market.

It will be put on the market.