asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate (a) what work the forestry department is doing in West Cork; (b) the amount of employment given in the area; (c) what work is envisaged for the future and when it is hoped to begin such work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Work in West Cork.
(a) Apart from the preparation and planting of 300 acres, the forestry programme provides for extensive drainage and fencing, the thinning of plantations and the cutting of some hundreds of tons of firewood; (b) 71 men are at present employed; (c) negotiations are in progress for the purchase of land near Inchigeelagh, Bandon, Dunmanway and Ballyvourney. As soon as the purchase proceedings are completed, planting operations will commence. Other lands near Dunmanway and Macroom have been listed for early inspection.
Could the Minister indicate when the acquisition of lands around Inchigeelagh, Ballyvourney and Bandon is likely to be completed?
I cannot give any forecast at the moment.
Could the Minister guarantee that the persons concerned will receive a reasonable price for their land? The Minister's Department has been rather niggardly in its offers before this.
There has been a change in the price recently which appears to satisfy most of the people concerned.