asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that Mr. Eugene O'Driscoll, Prohonus, Skibbereen, recently applied for a permit to fell 40 trees growing on his farm at Farrendaw, Castletownsend, County Cork; that these trees, which are presumed to be over 100 years old, were intended for disposal as fuel for persons living along the seaboard including Castletownsend and for the island people off the West Cork coast where, at present, fuel is almost unobtainable and is urgently needed; that these trees are seriously interfering with tillage operations; and that Mr. O'Driscoll's application for a felling permit was refused by the Forestry Department; and if, in view of the serious fuel position in the district and of the necessity for the removal of these trees, he will direct the Forestry Department to reconsider the decision in this case with a view to granting Mr. O'Driscoll's application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Permit for Tree Felling.
The difficulty in this case is that the trees are situated near a road and their felling is prohibited by Emergency Powers (No. 169) Order, 1942. The Deputy, no doubt, has heard within the last few days that it is proposed to modify the provisions of that Order. When this has been done, the case in question will be reconsidered as sympathetically as possible. There will be no avoidable delay.
I know of the restrictions, but are not the conditions equally serious now when the people of that district have not got sufficient fuel to cook their food? The Minister should make representations to the proper authorities to permit these trees to be felled so that they may be utilised for fuel in that area. I suggest that a grave emergency exists there in relation to fuel; the people cannot get sufficient to cook their meals.