asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the desire of local farmers to develop the entirety of Narraghmore bog, County Kildare for agricultural purposes; and if he will (a) request the Land Commission to facilitate the local farmers in the division of the bog (b) require the farm development service to assist in any necessary drainage of the bog and (c) give details of the response to any representation his Department or the Land Commission have received from local farmers in the matter.
Written Answers. - County Kildare Bog.
222.
No representations from local farmers in relation to this property can be traced in my Department. I am not sure what the Deputy has in mind when he refers to the Land Commission facilitating local farmers in the division of the bog, but I can assure him that on receipt of a definite proposal the Land Commission will be glad to consider whether, and how far, they can be of assistance in the matter.
I may add that it is not the practice of the Farm Development Service of my Department to assist the drainage of large expanses of bogland.
I understand that the Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department of Fisheries and Forestry have under consideration the possibility of acquiring some portion of Narraghmore bog.