asked the Minister for Lands why his Department have refused an offer of land totalling 67 acres in the Kilmuckridge area, which is suitable for afforestation and for no other purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offer of Wexford Land for Forestry.
Four offers were received comprising a long strip of land along the strand at Kilmuckridge. The total area was 72 acres of which 47 acres are plantable. The strip was two miles long and the plantable area was only about 100 yards deep at its widest point. Fencing costs on such an area would be inordinately high and there were no prospects of expansion as the adjoining land was of good agricultural quality. In these circumstances the offers were rejected.
Does the Minister admit this land is suitable for afforestation?
47 acres of the 72 offered are suitable but they comprise a strip of an average width of five yards, two miles long with the sea on one side and good arable land on the inside. There is also a question of ownership involved.
Is not that a good reason why the Minister should take this land and plant it? It appears to be situated along the foreshore and its planting would help to prevent erosion. Am I to understand that, when the Department are offered land which comprises a strip and is difficult to get at, they do not consider it at all for afforestation purposes?
This is a long narrow ridge, 50 yards wide except at its widest point where it is 100 yards in width. It does not lend itself to the building up of a bigger forest in the area and I believe it is an offer that we should not accept.
Is it not a fact that the Department were offered in that area approximately 150 acres and that the offer was refused?
I cannot answer that.
It is an entirely separate matter.