asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a great many people near Slieve Bawn in the Strokestown area have offered land for afforestation purposes; and, if so, whether he will state what action, if any, has been taken by the Land Commission in connection with this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land for Afforestation (County Roscommon).
I understand some 25 persons in the Slieve Bawn district are prepared to sell land for afforestation purposes, but only 16 formal offers have been received. Perhaps the Deputy would induce the other persons to send to the Forestry Division particulars of their respective lands which they are prepared to sell. All lands offered will be inspected as early as possible and it would facilitate matters if all offers were received before an inspection is undertaken in the area.
Is the Minister aware that approximately six months ago I handed in to the Land Commission a list of names of people who were willing to give land to the Land Commission for afforestation purposes and that the amount of land they were prepared to offer was in the region of 1,500 acres?
I understand that 25 persons are willing to offer land to us. Sixteen have done so at the request of the Forestry Division. The remaining nine have not yet made up their minds whether they will sell or not. Owing to shortage of staff, I do not like to send down an inspector until all these people have made up their minds, when one inspection can cover all the cases.