asked the Minister for Lands what long-term plans he has to provide public recreation facilities in the forestry lands adjoining Courtown Harbour, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Courtown Harbour Recreation Facilities.
19.
Long-term plans for the State forest lands adjoining Courtown Harbour envisage the provision of walks and other facilities for public recreation in the area. As the plantations have not yet reached a stage of development when public access would be desirable detailed plans have not yet been formulated.
Is there any reason why the Forestry Division should not sell these lands to the local company which wishes to buy them to use them for the purpose which the Minister has mentioned?
There are several good reasons. The first is that these plantations vary from six to ten years; they are valuable plantations and the cost could be prohibitive to the body to which the Deputy refers. Secondly, the area contemplated for development on the State side is much larger than the local council wants developed.
Surely if the Forestry Division are prepared to create recreational facilities, which, to my knowledge, they do not normally do, why not sell the land to the company which is prepared to buy it and to pay compensation for the trees?
The Forestry Division have created recreational facilities in many other areas. In this area some of the trees are up to ten years old and it would be undesirable at this stage to let the public into this area because the forests are at the stage when the fire hazard is at its greatest. For these, amongst other reasons, we cannot deal with this local body.