asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether Bord na Móna carried out a survey of the Meenaharness and Meenahunner bogs in Inishowen, County Donegal, to determine if they were capable of development by machinery; and, if so, the dates of any such survey; and, further, if he will indicate what decision has been taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Bog Development.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that while the bogs in question were not surveyed in detail, an inspection carried out on behalf of the board last February revealed that the bogs were not suitable for turf-winning by machine methods.
Would the Minister say on what grounds they were found not to be suitable?
Yes. The bogs were not considered suitable for turf-winning by machine methods for three reasons —(1) because of high altitude; (2) because of excessively steep gradients and (3) because of the insufficiency of their area.