asked the Minister for Lands if his Department has received any offers of land in the vicinity of Clahane, Tralee, County Kerry, for afforestation purposes and, if so, if he will state the acreage, and whether the land was found suitable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Land for Forestry.
The only definite offer of land in the Clahane district is one of 25 acres. This area is too small to warrant acquisition as there is no State forest within a reasonable distance, but I am having a survey made in the district to see if further offers can be obtained.
Will the Minister say if the Forestry Department has at any time investigated the possibilities of afforestation in the Clahane area?
They have, and in addition to that offer of 25 acres there was a one-tenth share of 150 acres, and at the present time I have asked the inspector to make a survey there to see if it is likely now that any additional offer might become available in that area sufficient to build up a forest block of sufficient size.
Just a year ago this month a representative of the Forestry Department called on me personally in connection with the same stretch of country where there were 4,000 acres of woodland in days gone by. That representative of the Forestry Department discussed the problem with me and I want to know if there is a record of that. That was 12 months ago and——
Will the Deputy frame a question?
I would like to know if there is any record of that inspection. Forms were deposited with me to have them signed by the tenants who owned that property in common and if there is any record of that it would be interesting to know of it.
I cannot say offhand without making inquiries and getting the file, but out of a survey made some time ago only this one offer of 25 acres emerged.