asked the Minister for Lands (a) whether his Department has circulated to the staff a document entitled Forestry Notice No. 3/49; (b) what is the effect of this notice; (c) if he will make a copy of the document available to Deputies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Department Notice.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. The circular in question was a confidential document concerned with matters of Departmental administration and intended for the information of the staff only. It would be contrary to normal practice to make copies of it available as requested by the Deputy.
Would the Minister state if the circular was one authorising the dismissal of certain forestry workers and if he is aware that this has occasioned misgivings in the minds of those interested in the pursuit of a policy of afforestation?
I can assure the House that the purpose of the circular was the very opposite to what the Deputy states. The reply to the next two questions will show that that is so.