asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if, in view of the fact that 39,753 acres of land have been acquired by his Department for the purpose of afforestation, and approximately 2,250 trees planted to the acre since the year 1923, he will state why no land has been acquired and no trees planted in County Donegal, and if he will issue instructions for land to be acquired and the work of tree-planting begun immediately in that county.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TREE-PLANTING IN DONEGAL.
Mr. HOGAN
As land in County Donegal suitable for afforestation purposes has not been offered to the Department on terms which they consider reasonable, no such land has been acquired. The matter of acquisition and planting of land in County Donegal is dealt with exactly as in other counties.
Has the Minister's Department made any particular inquiries in order to get land? There are thousands of acres of suitable land in Donegal for tree-planting. Considering that his Department have acquired tens of thousands of acres and have planted thousands of trees elsewhere, is it to be taken that they have forgotten that such a place as Donegal exists?
Mr. HOGAN
The procedure adopted by the Department is to examine propositions put up by owners. They do not go out looking for land, as they get proposals for land from owners. They find that they can keep their programme going by examining such propositions, and they find they can get plenty of land for afforestation purposes. As a matter of fact, there is a question of about 2,000 acres of land which the Department is purchasing, 1,000 of which will be suitable for forestry.
Will the Minister see that the work in connection with planting is started at once so as to relieve unemployment?
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission is acquiring the estate, and when it is acquired the Forestry Department can arrange with the Land Commission to take over 1,000 acres which we consider to be suitable land for afforestation.