asked the Minister for Lands if he will make available to the farmers in the locality, portion of the stone quarry in the hands of the forestry branch at Mount Mary, Ballygar, County Galway, in view of the fact that stones are badly needed for the building and reconstruction of houses and farm buildings, and for land drainage works, etc., in the locality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Stone Quarry.
I understand that adequate supplies of stone can be obtained from a public quarry in this district. Consequently, I do not see the necessity for opening the quarry mentioned by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that when the forestry branch took over this quarry about 25 years ago only about two acres were left to the public and that has now been used up? If portion of the quarry were of no use to the forestry branch, would he not examine the question again with a view to supplying the need to which the question refers?
The forestry department owns the quarry without any rights by outside individuals. If stone became so scarce in the locality, or if there were not other quarries available, I should be quite willing to accede to the Deputy's request, but at the moment my information is that there are ample supplies of stone available in the neighbourhood of the quarry mentioned in the question.
My information is different from that of the Minister.
The Deputy should inquire into it again.