asked the Minister for Lands if he will state for the two years ended 31st March, 1957, the area of land (a) offered, (b) inspected, and (c) found suitable, for forestry purposes, in the electoral areas of Ballycroy North and Ballycroy South, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Lands in North Mayo.
In the period in question my Department received six offers with a total area of about 12,700 acres from landholders in the Ballycroy district. Of these, five offers with a total area of 9,200 acres have been inspected and found unsuitable for afforestation purposes because of soil quality and exposure. One of the areas rejected comprising 5,500 acres will, however, be reconsidered in a few years' time when the results of experimental planting undertaken on similar soil types in the West become available.
The sixth offer received comprises a one-seventh share of a commonage of 3,500 acres in the townland of Ballycroy. This commonage will be inspected as soon as possible.