Timber Transport and Forest Roads
Conaghan asked about roads serving mature north-west forests and limits on timber lorries. Boland said the weight rules applied nationally and forest roads were a separate issue; a procedural exchange about repeating another answer and raising it on the Adjournment followed.
In view of the fact that the majority of forests in the north west are coming into full maturity and will be due for harvesting up to the turn on the century, has the Minister any plans for the provision of roads into these forests or for the reduction of the axle weight or loading capacity of lorries which are going to have to be utilised in order to convey the timber from the forests?
Comment on this
I have already explained in the reply to Deputy Mac Giolla what the position is in relation to maximum weight in accordance with the EC directive and our derogation. That applies nationally. The question of forest roads is an entirely different one.
Comment on this
In view of the fact that I was not present in the House would the Minister repeat his reply to Question No. 6?
