asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry whether it is the policy of his Department to fence off state forests from adjoining farms and to maintain this fencing; and, if such is not the policy, whether he considers that farmers will, in the future, be prepared to transfer lands to the Department for forestry purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Forests.
23.
The practice of my Department is to fence off State forest land for protective purposes and to maintain the fences so long as it is considered necessary. This practice has not militated against the purchase of land for afforestation and I do not expect that it will do so in the future.
Did the Minister say that it is the practice or that it is not the practice?
It is not the practice to maintain fences against cattle trespassing on neighbouring farms. As a lawyer, the Deputy is well aware that it is the duty of neighbouring farmers to prevent their cattle from straying onto other properties.
Would the Minister accept that the policy of his Department is going to be a major factor against having land available for forestry in future?
The two matters are unrelated.
Would the Minister accept that there are quite a number of farmers who are concerned with this and are probably making representations to him through their organisations?
This is the ordinary law of the land. People are obliged to prevent their cattle from trespassing.
Would the Minister accept that the law of the land can be covered by a separate contract?
In this case I think the law of the land is very sensible.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.