asked the Minister for Energy if he intends to sell the State interest in mature forests this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

No.

In view of the fact that the Government programme proposes to increase employment in forestry, would the Minister not consider that it was an opportunity to get working capital for a planting programme by seeking to sell mature forests in this way?

The Government are not considering the sale of mature forests for investment purposes but the Deputy will know that the previous Government in the decision on the Estimates for 1987 decided to raise £3 million by bringing forward the sale of the crop of immature non-amenity State forests and the present Government concur with that. The £3 million raised will go mainly towards expanding the planting programme for 1987.

On that topic——

The Deputy will appreciate that it is a rather specific question and I presume he will base his question on that.

I will attempt to direct my question in the most specific manner. Have steps been taken already in relation to the sale of forests?

Yes.

Will the Minister elaborate?

My Department have surveyed a number of forests throughout the country with a view to their sale through this system. No decision has been taken as to the exact areas yet but a number of areas have been chosen for this purpose and we will be interested to know of developments from here on.