asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state the total acreage of land acquired by his Department in Co. Donegal for the purpose of afforestation, and the total number of trees planted in that county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation in Co. Donegal.
Mr. Hogan
For the reasons indicated in my reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 29th March, 1928. no land in County Donegal has been acquired up to the present date for the purpose of State afforestation. A few areas which have been offered in the County are now under consideration.
Would the Minister state whether anything has been done in regard to afforestation on the Ards, Stewart Bam, estate?
Mr. Hogan
The Land Commission have acquired that estate, and the Forestry Department are in negotiation with the Land Commission with the object of repurchasing portion of it.
The Minister, in a reply to a question of mine on the 29th March, stated that the Land Commission had taken over 2,000 acres of land, and that the Forestry Department would acquire 1,000 acres for afforestation purposes. In view of the fact that 50,000 acres have been acquired for afforestation, and that out of that amount 10,000 acres have been planted with upwards of 22,000,000 trees, and that now the Minister states that nothing has been done so far as Donegal is concerned, I would ask the Minister whether he considers that Donegal has been treated fairly in view of the large amount of unemployment and emigration?
Mr. Hogan
The Forestry Branch can only buy land when it is offered to them and only when it is suitable. Suitable land has not been offered to any great extent in Donegal. The Land Commission hold a certain amount which is regarded as being suitable for afforestation, and the Forestry Branch are in negotiation for the purchase of 1,147 acres, and also for the purchase of another estate, but it is not yet clear whether it will be suitable for forestry.
A year ago the Minister told me that the Forestry Department had acquired 1,000 acres in Donegal for the purpose of afforestation, but though a year has elapsed nothing has been done.
Mr. Hogan
It takes the Land Commission a considerable time to acquire land.
Hear, hear.
It takes them a considerable time—probably too long— but in view of the fact that 50,000 acres have been acquired in other counties——
Mr. Hogan
For forestry?
Yes.
Mr. Hogan
Not at all. There are only 20,000 acres planted throughout the whole country.
I said that there were 50,000 acres acquired and perhaps 10,000 acres planted but, in spite of that, nothing has been done in that direction in Donegal.