§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can say when the Government intend to give effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Forestry?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)As the result of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Forestry a sum of £6,000 was provided in the 'Annual Estimates of the Department of Agriculture for 1909–10, for the purchase by means of annuities under the Irish Land Purchase Acts of suitable areas of woodland and of lands adapted for forestry comprised in estates which are being sold through the Estates Commissioners. This provision enabled the Department to purchase woods at Dundrum, county Tipperary; Camelin, county Wexford; and Aghrane, county Galway. Negotiations for the purchase of a wood near Bailiebore, county Caven, have just been concluded and the Department are in treaty with the Estates Commissioners for the acquisition of other woods. The same provision has been inserted in the Estimates for 1910–11. No further action in the matter is contemplated at present.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it not a fact that the Report of the Departmental Committee to which the right; hon. Gentleman refers recommended a much greater financial support for the scheme of forestry in Ireland than the amount of £6,000 mentioned by him in the Estimates; and is it 445 the intention of the Government to carry out to any extent the financial scheme recommended by the Committee?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI think the intention and action of the Government in regard to forestry is plainly indicated by the answer I have already given.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask whether it is not a fact that the Departmental Committee mentioned in the question of the hon. Gentleman recommended certain schemes involving an annual expenditure of a considerable sum of money for forestry, and whether it is intended to carry out the financial proposals of the Committee?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYAs regards that, I have not the exact particulars of the Report in my mind.