asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether it is proposed to alter the legislation governing replanting of forest lands to replace felled timber on small holdings whereon the replanting must be carried out on arable land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Replanting of Forest Lands.
It is not proposed to alter, in the manner suggested, the existing legislation governing replanting to replace felled timber. Replanting is usually carried out on areas from which timber has been removed but occasionally some other suitable plot is decided upon in agreement with the landholder.
The motive that prompted the question is taking into account the case of holdings allotted by the Land Commission on divided farms some years ago on which timber stood. That timber has now been removed in most cases by the owners in order to provide additional arable acreage to the holdings. I ask the Minister to take up that matter and to have the present regulations relaxed so as not to force people to plant on holdings where there is no suitable planting ground—by that I mean land that would be classified as not arable.
It is very hard to determine what land may be used for grazing or what land may be used for tillage later on. I will call the Minister's attention to the point the Deputy has mentioned regarding allotments made by the Land Commission. I daresay the whole question will come up on the Forestry Bill.