asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the powers which Bord na Móna have regarding the acquisition of turbary bog.
Written Answers. - Turbary Bog Acquisition.
430.
Bord na Móna's powers to acquire land are set out in Chapter III of the Turf Development Act, 1946, which enables the board to acquire land by agreement or compulsorily for the purpose of carrying out their functions.
431.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the turbary bog which Bord na Móna have acquired in Counties Galway and Roscommon to date.
432.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if Bord na Móna have any plans for the acquisition of turbary bog in Counties Galway and Roscommon; and, if so, if he will give details.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together.
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the total area acquired or in process of acquisition by the board under the First, Second and Third Development Programmes in Counties Galway and Roscommon to date is 31,000 acres. This would include a small proportion of agricultural land which cannot be readily separted from acquisitions of bog.
The board state they are at present planning to purchase a further 9,000 acres of bog in the Derryfadda group of bogs, between Ballinasloe and Glenamaddy and in the Mountdillon group between Lanesboro and Rooskey. Further areas throughout Counties Galway and Roscommon are being surveyed and assessed for possible future development.