asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the plans under consideration by the Forestry Branch to continue planting operations in the Cloonfad area, Kiltullagh electoral district, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planting in Cloonfad (Roscommon) Area.
Last year my Department acquired two areas comprising 60 acres in the townland of Cloonfad East. The areas were fully planted last winter. Further planting at Cloonfad is dependent on the acquisition of additional lands in the area. At present my Department is negotiating for the purchase of an area of 55 acres in the district; another area of 33 acres has been inspected and found suitable for afforestation purposes and although the title position is very obscure it is hoped to make an offer for the area fairly soon. Two further areas totalling 57 acres were offered recently and these will be inspected as soon as possible.
Can the Minister give any indication as to when further planting operations or preparations for planting, such as drainage and so forth, will be undertaken in this locality?
In reply to the Deputy, everything is being done to complete negotiations. As the Deputy knows, there are a lot of legal formalities.
While the planting operations were proceeding on the 55 acres concerned, surely it was possible at that stage for the Forestry Branch to make the necessary preparations for further acquisition so that the planting programme could flow in one continuous movement? Is the Minister aware that this is one of the most heavily congested areas in the West of Ireland and that there is no other means of employment in the locality? Will he, in those circumstances, try, as a matter of extreme urgency, to expedite the work of the Land Commission in finalising the legal problems concerned with the acquisition and put the planting work into operation?
My Department does its utmost to maintain an even flow of forestry work in every area. The Department's programme must be prepared for some time in advance and it is not possible always to advance the acquisition of land in a particular area.