asked the Minister for Lands if the Sellar estate at Cregg, Nobber, County Meath has been acquired for forestry purposes; and, if so, whether in view of the fact that this is good quality arable land the decision will be cancelled to allow the estate to be allocated among deserving land-holders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Estate.
11.
A comprehensive scheme for division of this estate and three neighbouring properties, aggregating 670 acres, has been put into effect over the past three years and some 540 acres have been allocated to 24 local applicants. The balance—129 acres—consists of cold wet retentive soil and is unsuitable for agricultural purposes. It is considered that rehabilitation would be costly and would, in any case, be a doubtful proposition. On the other hand, this area is eminently suitable for afforestation and was, accordingly, allocated to the Forest and Wildlife Service in March, 1971.
I wish to point out that I have viewed this property and I do not agree with the Minister's description of it. Does the Minister not think it would be better to allocate this land to small local farmers who are seeking land?
I pointed out that this property was examined by An Foras Talúntais and rejected by them and I would be inclined to accept the findings of An Foras Talúntais on this matter rather than that of the Deputy.
Does the Minister not know that a large part of this land was capable of growing wheat? The ridges are still there to prove it.
I do not know anything about that.
There are local people around it who previously took this property in conacre and, as Deputy Tully has pointed out, there is evidence that they produced crops. I think it is poor satisfaction for them and a poor reflection on this House if we are to give valuable property over for the growing of trees when the sons of small farmers have to emigrate. The Minister will not get away with planting that property.
Precisely what does the Deputy mean by that last sentence?
I mean that some people in that area feel pretty strongly.
What precisely does the Deputy mean? Is the Deputy threatening me?
I am not threatening the Minister.
This is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the Land Commission. The Land Commission have already allocated the land. I will not accept threats from Deputy Fox.
The Minister has sat under them from subversive elements during the last three years and he did nothing about them. The Government are riding that tiger now, and so is the country.
I am telling the Minister that I will support my constituents who are smallholders in that area.