asked the Minister for Lands what is the afforestation programme in regard to the area to be planted for each of the next three years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation Programme.
As the Forestry Estimate, which will come before the House in a very short time, would afford a better opportunity for an announcement against the background of progress to date and prospects for the future, I would prefer to defer a statement of planting programme until the Estimate is being introduced.
Would the Minister not consider it in the interests of the House to indicate at this stage the area which he should plant in the next three years? Plans for the planting of that area must be made now.
The usual practice is to leave it to the opening statement on the Estimate for the Department. The Deputy will get full particulars then.
Does that mean either that the Minister does not know or that he wishes not to reveal it to the House before the introduction of his Estimate?
The latter.