asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of the Portumna (Clanrickarde) Estate (a) the total acreage of land acquired by the Land Commission, (b) the number of acres reserved for afforestation purposes and (c) the number of acres reserved for division amongst small landowners in the locality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clanrickarde Estate (Portumna)
The former Clanrickarde Estate at Portumna containing in all 1,404 acres was purchased by the forestry division of my Department in 1948. The total area utilised or intended to be utilised for afforestation purposes is 1,202 acres. Parts of the estate totalling 112¼ acres have been transferred to the Land Commission for division.
Is the Minister aware that a large portion of the land provisionally reserved for afforestation on this estate is regarded by local people as good arable land and, if so, will he take the necessary steps to remedy the situation?
That matter can be investigated. Sometimes people in the locality differ in their opinion about the arable qualities of land and whether it can be used for afforestation. I shall direct the attention of the Department to the Deputy's statement.
Surely the Minister will agree that the local people who live quite close to that estate are competent to judge the quality of the land?
The Deputy is advancing an argument by means of question.
Will the Minister take action before the by-election.
I have already said that a total of 112 acres have been transferred to the Land Commission for division. The Deputy did not hear because of the noise.