asked the Minister for Lands if he will ensure, when lands are acquired for afforestation by his Department, that the arable portions of such lands will be handed over to adjoining farmers who are willing to farm them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Lands.
17.
Close liaison is maintained between the Forestry Division of my Department and the Land Commission to ensure that no land required for Land Commission purposes is devoted to State afforestation.
18.
asked the Minister for Lands the total acreage of land offered to his Department for forestry purposes for which no offer has been made to the owners; and the amount at present under consideration with a view to purchase.
On 31st March, 1966, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 123,753 acres on offer to the Forestry Division of my Department which had not reached the price negotiation stage. The total acreage on offer at the same date was 210,451 acres.