asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry why his Department have stopped purchasing and paying for land for afforestation purposes; when payment will resume; and if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to afforestation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation Policy.
7.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Intake of land for forestry in the current year is expected to be of the order of 14,000 acres — an increase of some 4,3000 acres on last year. I can assure the Deputy that all land purchase commitments to date are being fully met and there is no question of stopping payments.
Policy in regard to afforestation continues to have as its objective the planting of 25,000 acres per annum. However, it has not been possible to achieve this target fully in recent years due to difficulties in land acquisition and the unsatisfactory level and distribution of the reserve of plantable land.
What steps has the Minister taken to correct the situation regarding the intake of land?
(Cavan-Monaghan): As I have told the Deputy the intake this year will be 4,300 acres more than last year and that represents a move in the right direction?
What steps has the Minister taken so that it might increase next year also?
(Cavan-Monaghan): We are looking at this matter at the moment.