asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate the present position regarding the acquisition of Coolkelure Estate, Dunmanway, County Cork, for afforestation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of County Cork Estate for Afforestation.
13.
The complex title difficulties which were holding up the acquisition of these lands for forestry purposes have finally been resolved and it is hoped that the sale will be closed and possession of the lands taken in the near future.
Could the Minister indicate what he actually means by "in the near future"? We have heard that term applied before on a number of previous occasions, as far back as three years ago and for that reason I should like the Minister's definition of the term.
As the Deputy is possibly aware, outside of the difficulties which I mentioned in this case, the estate was held up with bankruptcy and High Court proceedings. These have been resolved, I understand, and on the information at my disposal, I expect we should get possession within the next month.
Could the Minister say definitely within the next month? Possibly he is aware that a number of employees have been laid off for some time past and they are anxious to return to employment, if and when the work on this estate commences.
I cannot go any further with the Deputy than I have gone. As I say, protracted proceedings have now finished and, as I say, I expect it will be possible to get possession within a month.