To ask the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that considerable areas of so-called Mountain Lands are in the possession of the Congested Districts Board, if any portions of the lands in question are suitable for afforestation, if he could inform the Deputy of the extent and situation of such areas, and if he shall, during this, or the succeeding Oireachtas, introduce legislation to bring about the re-afforestation of a selected portion of the areas in question.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - AFFORESTATION.
Mr. P. O'MAILLE (for Mr. Joseph MacBride)
MINISTER for AGRICULTURE (Mr. P. Hogan)
There is a large area of Mountain Land and Rough Grazing in the hands of the Congested Districts Board in the Counties of Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Some of these lands have been inspected as to their fitness for afforestation, and the question of acquiring for this purpose certain suitable areas is under consideration. Pending a complete Forestry Survey of the various lands, it is not possible to give particulars as to the extent and situation of the areas which are suitable for planting. It is not anticipated that legislation will be needed as a preliminary to the planting of suitable areas. The difficulty in the way of extending existing forestry lands is chiefly one of finance.