asked the Minister for Lands the number of forests in County Cork which he intends to open to the public in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Forests.
32.
The Deputy may take it that forest areas in County Cork, as elsewhere throughout the country, are generally open to the public for walking. Motor vehicles are discouraged as a rule. The exceptions would be immature plantations where there might be particular fire hazards.
Amenity development has already been undertaken in 14 forests throughout the county. The facilities provided range from simple layby parking and picnic facilities to quite extensive programmes for forest park development as at Gougane Barra. This amenity development programme is an ongoing activity and will be extended to other forests in the county.
33.
asked the Minister for Lands if it is intended to open Mount Hillery and Charlesfield forests, Banteer, County Cork, to the public in the near future.
The plantations at Mount Hillery are still immature and extensive use of the forest by the public cannot yet be encouraged because of fire hazard.
The Charlesfield forest area is open to the public for walking and stiles are available to facilitate access.
Would the Minister agree that especially in the tourist areas it is important to have the forests open to the public? Will he consider in the immediate future opening the forests in the tourist areas especially on the west Cork coast?
I agree that this is a most desirable thing but the Deputy will appreciate that at an early stage in forestry development it is not wise to expose young trees to unnecessary fire hazards.
The forests that are available in Gougane Barra and Ballingeary are a great asset to the district and to tourism in the area.
Thank you.