asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he can state the reason for the delay in utilising for afforestation the lands of Mickencor and Derrinlaur. County Waterford, which were leased for this purpose about three years ago.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - AFFORESTATION IN CO. WATERFORD.
Mr. HOGAN
A deed covering the leasing of an area of 711 acres of land lying in the townlands of Derrinlaur Upper, Derrinlaur Lower, Tickincor Upper and Carricknabrone, County Waterford, was executed in 1922 by the Department of Agriculture.
Under the terms of the deed the lands are divided into three blocks, viz:—Block I, containing 314 acres, to be leased as from 1st July, 1922; Block II, containing 289½ acres to be leased as from its complete clearance of mature timber by the lessor not later than 1942; Block III, containing 107½ acres, to be leased as from its complete clearance of mature timber by the lessor not later than 1947.
Block I has been planted by the Department, and as the other two blocks are not yet in hands, they are not available to the Department for immediate planting.