§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the value of imports of wood in Ireland exceed the value of the exports by upwards of 1½ millions of money; whether the Board of Agriculture have formulated a scheme for reafforesting Ireland; and whether the mountain of Forth, South Wexford, is included in that scheme.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Department have not formulated a scheme for the reafforestation of Ireland, nor have they at present in contemplation the planting of trees on the mountain of Forth. The funds at the disposal of the Department do not admit of any large extension of their forestry operations. A school for the training of woodmen has been established at Avondale, county Wicklow, in connection with which planting is being conducted on a large scale. Assistance is afforded to persons who desire advice as to the formation of plantations or the management of existing woods, by placing at their disposal the services of the forestry expert, on payment of a fee towards the expenses incurred in connection with his inspections.