asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the present position in relation to the proposal to acquire the Coolkelure estate, Dunmanway, for afforestation purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Afforestation.
My Department has agreed to purchase an area of 814 acres of the Coolkelure estate but the sale has not yet been completed. High Court proceedings are involved.
Could the Minister tell me when these proceedings are to take place? The money is supposed to be lodged in the Chief State Solicitor's Office for quite a long period.
The High Court proceedings are pending and I am excluded from interfering.
Is it correct to say that the Department of Agriculture have agreed with the owner of the land on the price and that the money is lodged in the Chief State Solicitor's Office?
Part of it.
What then is the cause of the delay? Surely when the money is available the High Court proceedings must be purely formal.
I assure the Deputy that I do not want to get stuck in the High Court.
Would the Minister for Lands not give the Deputy some way out?
It is the Deputy who will be going out.
Be very careful over there now.