asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that there is a large amount of waste cutaway bog very suitable for forestry planting at Killark, Killberry, Newtown, Shean and Cloney, Athy, County Kildare, and if he will make arrangements to have such land inspected with a view to its being taken over for forestry purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Cutaway Bogs.
I cannot identify any townland of Killark. About 13 years ago some 425 acres in Cloney, Kilberry, Sheean, and Newtownbert were offered for forestry purposes but as the area was mainly high bog and included only 21 acres of plantable land its acquisition was not considered desirable. Last year an area of 41 acres was offered but was too small and too isolated to be worth acquiring. If any extensive offers of plantable land are now forthcoming in this area acquisition would be favourably considered.
Would the Minister state what area he considers sufficiently extensive to justify acquisition for this purpose?
At least 50 or 60 acres. The practice has been to aim at 300 acres but we might take a smaller area if there was a possibility of building it up to 300 acres in the near future.
What is wrong with 60 or 80 acres for a start?