asked the Minister for Lands what long-term plans he has for public recreation facilities in the forestry lands near Courtown, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wexford Recreation Facilities.
26.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 13th July, 1967, to a similar question.
Can the Minister add nothing to that reply? I should like to point out to him in relation to his reply that a company had offered to buy the land for the purposes of using it for tourist development. I believe the Minister replied recently that he would consider long-term planning. Has he nothing further to add now?
No. I told the Deputy in reply to the previous question that there was provision for recreational facilities in many other areas. In that area some of the trees are up to ten years old and it would be undesirable at this stage to let the public into the area.
In other words, it will be used only for forestry and there are no recreational plans for the area at all as far as the Forestry Division are concerned?
There are recreational plans for this area; they are not finalised, because part of the present forestry policy is to consider provisional recreational plans, where local conditions would warrant it.
How can there be any recreational plans when the Minister is apparently going to let these trees reach maturity and they were sown only in the past four or five years?
They are at the stage where the fire hazard is at its greatest and until they grow a bit further, we would not put our recreational plans into operation.
What will the trees be used for—Christmas trees?
The trees will be used for the purpose for which trees are generally utilised by the Forestry Division.
Questions Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive, postponed.