asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the lands in North Mayo which it is proposed to acquire this year for afforestation purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Mayo Forestry Lands.
Acquisition statistics are kept on a county basis and I am unable, therefore, to supply figures for part of County Mayo as requested by the Deputy. The position for the whole county is that my Department has agreed to purchase 28 areas totalling 5,311 acres for afforestation purposes and title to the lands is being investigated. Negotiations for the purchase of 19 other areas totalling 3,218 acres are in progress and there are 154 cases with a total area of 31,292 acres at the preliminary investigation stages. In all, my Department is dealing with 201 cases totalling 39,821 acres in County Mayo. I should state that a high proportion of this total will be found to be unsuitable on sylvicultural or price considerations.