asked the Minister for Lands whether the decision to plant 25,000 acres of forestry annually will be implemented in the coming year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tree Planting.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (i) the acreage of land acquired for forestry purposes in each of the years 1951, 1952 and 1953, and (ii) the acreage of new State plantations provided in each of those years.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
In the year 1951-52 the total area acquired for forestry was 19,107 acres including 15,701 plantable acres and 14,992 acres were planted; in 1952-53, 19,418 acres including 16,784 plantable acres were acquired and 12,488 acres planted; in 1953-54 the area acquired was 20,443 acres including 17,750 plantable acres and 12,449 acres were planted.
It will be clear from the figures quoted that a planting programme of the order of 25,000 acres in the coming year is out of the question.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware of, and does he recollect, his own statement to the effect that by 1952 if he was still in office the 25,000 acres per year would have been arrived at? Can he explain that statement in relation to the answer he has given to my question?
The planning programme in any year depends on the intake of land in the three preceding years. It is necessary to have a certain reserve of land in hands so that the nursery section of the Department will know exactly the species of seeds to plant for the years ahead. I am sorry to say that, due to the high prices obtaining for agricultural produce, it is very difficult to get land; land is not coming in at the rate at which I would like it to come in.
Can the Minister give us any indication when this target of 25,000 acres is likely to be reached?
Mr. Lemass
When he is out of office again.
That is the Deputy's policy.
The Deputy will not be here when that day comes. He will have gone to his reward.