Thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to raise this important issue on the Adjournment and the Minister for coming in to reply. I ask the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to ensure the retention of Beleek Wood, Ballina, as a public amenity. In particular, I wish to refer to the proposed sale by public auction of an area of three acres, known locally as the wooded area at the black gates on the Killala Road, Ballina.
Belleek Wood is one of the finest scenic amenity areas in the west. It comprises a wooded area of over 100 acres, a small lake pound, a fine castle hotel, nature walks, ancient monuments, flora and fauna indigenous to the area and the River Moy famous here and internationally as a salmon river, which runs beside and along the wooded area. The wood is a major tourist attraction and environmentally it is the jewel in the crown of Ballina. Ballina hosts part of the Department of the Environment which is within a stone's throw of the wood.
The local Community of the Killala Road have spent up to £50,000 in improving the area with flowers, shrubs, plants, footpaths and lighting. A local man has developed a caravan and camping site nearby which is up to international standards. There is also good housing in the area.
For the above reasons the local community do not want this property, which is owned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, sold to accommodate a halting site as the area is totally inappropriate for such a purpose. Negotiations on a sale for the purpose of a halting site have taken place. We have now learned that this proposal has been stopped and that the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry say that the only fair way to dispose of the property is to put it up for public auction.
Why should the local community or the people of Ballina have to buy back their own wood? They are taxpayers and entitled to every consideration in regard to its disposal. Public auction may result in the property falling into the wrong hands and destroying the total potential of this area. Both I and the people of Ballina want this property transferred to the local community to help Ballina attain its full tourist potential. There is a precedent in other parts of the country for such an arrangement. In view of what I have said I hope the Minister will desist from the route he is taking in regard to public auction of this area.