asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what estates were inspected in Connemara and the acreage of the various estates inspected in connection with proposed afforestation schemes; why those areas were deemed unsuitable for planting; and also to what extent a comprehensive survey of Connemara for afforestation purposes has progressed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connemara Afforestation Schemes.
Mr. Boland
The following lands offered for forestry purposes in Connemara have been inspected and found to be unsuitable:—
1. 1,000 acres offered by tenants at Tiernee, Lettermore.
2. 700 acres about two miles from Clifden offered by tenants on the former Berridge estate, and 300 acres about seven miles from Clifden, at Derryvickrine, by tenants on the former estate of Richard Foreman, and a few other small areas in the same district.
3. About 1,000 acres at Kylemore offered by the Land Commission and comprising portions of the former estate of the Benedictine Nuns and the Talbot Clifton estate.
4. 1,900 acres of the Costelloe estate at Lough Seecon.
5. 3,049 acres on the O'Meara estate between Cashel and Rossmuck.
6. A very large area at Cloosh and Oorid offered by the Land Commission.
7. 300 acres at Athry, Recess, offered by tenants on the former Berridge estate.
8. 1,000 acres at Shindilea, Maam Cross, offered by the tenant, Mr. Lyons.
9. About 400 acres at Knockboy, Recess, offered by Mrs. Betts.
The reasons for rejection were either exposure or unsuitable soil conditions or a combination of both reasons. As the Deputy has already been informed, investigations are proceeding with a view to obtaining lands suitable for acquisition for afforestation.
Mr. Brodrick
Arising out of the Minister's answer, is it a fact that out of thousands of acres inspected only 285 acres have been found suitable in Connemara?
Mr. Boland
So far.
Mr. Brodrick
Is he not aware that in one of the cases which he has just mentioned, that is the Knockboy estate, an orchard has grown up on that particular estate within the last 20 years?
Mr. Boland
Those lands have all been inspected by forestry inspectors who are competent to say whether those lands are plantable or not. Their opinion is that they are not. There may be a specially sheltered spot in which an orchard might have grown, but that does not mean that thousands of acres can be planted.