asked the Minister for Lands whether representations have been made to him for the initiation of a forestry scheme in the Carlingford area, and, if so, if he will expedite the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Louth Forestry Schemes.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the present position in regard to the proposed afforestation scheme at Ballymakellet, Ravensdale, Dundalk.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
There are extensive commonage areas totalling over 2,000 acres in the Carlingford district, portion of which, about 600 acres, has been inspected and valued for forestry purposes. So far as is known all the commonage tenants are prepared to sell portion of the commonages for forestry subject to certain conditions in regard to fencing of the area, but the solicitor for the tenants has intimated that the position on title is hopelessly involved and is impossible to solve under present legislation.
In the Ballymakellet district there are further commonage areas totalling over 600 acres in which the Department is interested but in this case opposition has been encountered from some of the tenants and progress would not be possible under existing legislation save by invoking the powers of compulsory acquisition under the Forestry Act, 1946.
As a solution to these problems I would refer the Deputy to the new Forestry Bill which has been circulated since he put down the question and which is due to be debated on Second Stage this evening. The Bill will, I hope, provide the solution to these and to many similar cases of difficulty throughout the country.
Apart from the commonage areas I have mentioned, there are two small areas of 27 acres at Border Bar and 39 acres, respectively, at Ballymakellet which have been inspected and are under consideration.