Timber Industry set to grow for next 20 years

Irish forestry resources are now producing five million cubic metres of timber annually with significant increases expected over the next twenty years.

The largest end user of this material is the Irish construction industry, a seminar on the Developments in the Irish Timber Industry has heard.

With the housing boom showing little signs of abating ongoing demand for timber products will present many opportunities to the sector.

Timber frame housing now accounts for about 20% of the market for new homes.

Successful Irish companies using these building systems are exporting to the European Union.

According to the Minister for Trade and Commerce. Michael Ahern: "This industry is of great importance to the Irish economy employing 16,000 people both directly and indirectly.

"I wish to endorse the Governments commitment to improved Quality and Quality standards for not only timber products but for all construction products manufactured in Ireland,"he added.

The Minister gave the opening official address at the conference in Dublin this morning.