asked the Minister for Lands if his Department is in a position to state when the afforestation scheme at Collon, County Louth, will be started.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Louth Schemes.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have under consideration the acquisition of the Rudd estate at Collon, County Louth, but at the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state what area will be available for allotment for forestry purposes or when forestry operations can be undertaken on the lands so allotted.
Mr. Walsh
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will he keep in mind that there is a very large area of land at Collon that is not suitable for any purpose other than afforestation and that the using of that land for afforestation purposes would be the means of giving a good deal of employment and would also create a very valuable asset for future generations?
Mr. Boland
All considerations will be kept in mind.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will take steps to relieve congestion in Tullyallen, near Drogheda, County Louth.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of 174 acres of the lands of Balgatheran and Tullyallen, and they are having inquiries made regarding an area of 87 acres of untenanted land in the townland of Balgrath, which is in the neighbourhood of Tullyallen.
Mr. Walsh
I should like to ask the Minister to press on the division of land in Tullyallen, because there is a very large number of uneconomic holdings there, and in that parish, as in parishes in other parts of the country, we have three of four people, at the most, making a luxurious livelihood from grazing, while we have many others trying to eke out a bare existence on uneconomic holdings.
Loud and prolonged applause!