§ MR. M'GOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the interest taken all over Ireland in the question of re-afforesting, will he, with a view of promoting this object, advise the Department of Agriculture to supply young trees of different species to occupiers and owners of land in Ireland free of cost on condition that such trees are properly planted.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have more than once stated that the Department hopes, in due time, to take up the work of re-afforestation in conjunction with the county councils. The councils are empowered to include provision for tree planting operations in the schemes they are promoting under the Act of 1899, and these schemes, if approved, will be subsidised by the Department. The Department is not prepared, however, to take the action suggested in the question, as it is precluded from applying its funds to schemes In respect of which aid is not locally guaranteed.