asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the value of ten to 18 year old thinnings cut down and bought before transportation.

The value of thinnings depends on the species, size, quality and location of the material. It is difficult, therefore, to provide meaningful values. However, thinnings cut and sold by the Forest and Wildlife Service — generally 15 to 20 years old — would range in price from £14 per cubic metre to £19 per cubic metre.