asked the Minister for Lands if he will outline the forestry programme for West Cork in the present year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Forestry Programme.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider immediately establishing a tree-nursery in the Eyries-Ardgroom area, County Cork, to give an impetus to afforestation in the Beara Peninsula.
asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the large acreage of suitable land that exists in the Beara Peninsula for afforestation and the large number of unemployed in the area, he will indicate the steps he proposes to take to develop afforestation there.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take together Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13.
It is proposed to plant 260 acres of land in West Cork in the next planting season. Proceedings for the purchase of an additional 930 acres have been instituted and offers of other lands comprising 19,000 acres have to be investigated.
The question of offers of land for sale in the Beara Peninsula has only arisen in the last few weeks and it is yet too early to indicate what will be the extent of future forestry operations in that area. The establishment of a nursery in the Eyries-Ardgroom area will be dependent on the amount of suitable land which can be acquired in the district.
Is it not a fact that West Cork presents a very large area that is entirely suitable for forestry and would the Minister indicate particularly, in view of the necessity for employment in that area, when it is hoped to commence the planting of trees in these districts?
As I have informed the Deputy, we are making a start this year with roughly about 260 acres of land. Nine hundred and thirty acres are in the course of being acquired and negotiations are proceeding. Nineteen thousand acres have been offered since the recent policy of the Government in regard to the development of forestry was announced. I think the Deputy will admit that that is not a very bad start for one constituency.
asked the Minister for Lands if he can state whether it is proposed to acquire land for forestry purposes in the Ballyvourney area, County Cork.
It is proposed to inspect as soon as possible certain areas offered in the Ballyvourney district with a view to their acquisition for forestry purposes.
Can the Minister say how long it is since the decision to inspect was taken?
I cannot tell the Deputy. A number of offers were made in this particular district in the past but they were turned down for some reason or other. These offers and other new ones are now being investigated.