§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a copy of the resolution protesting against the denudation of forest areas in Ireland dated the 7th June, 1917, when the Marquess
of Head-fort presided; whether his Department has sufficient powers to deal with this matter or whether he will seek the same; and if he will state the numbers of trees planted in Ireland, by counties, for the years 1915 and 1916 for which he has the figures?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have received the resolution referred to No funds are available for the encouragement of tree-planting by private owners. A scheme of loans to private owners for the purpose was submitted to the Development Commissioners, but the funds at the disposal of the Commissioners cannot be applied in this manner. Inquiries are being made as to owners of land in Ireland willing to lease it for afforestation purposes. This proposal would apply only in cases of areas of con- 541W siderable extent, and where the Development Commissioners would be prepared to consider the question of providing funds for planting operations after the War, if suitable schemes can be framed. The Reconstruction Committee are, I believe, considering a scheme of reafforestation for Great Britain and Ireland.
The following Return shows the area planted with forest trees in each Irish county in 1915 and 1916. The numbers of trees planted in each county cannot be stated, and the Returns for the year 1916 are subject to revision:
Counties. Area Planted. 1915. 1916. Acres. Acres. Carlow … … — 4 Dublin … … 2 2 Kildare … … 27 14 Kilkenny … … 5 18 King's … … 7 56 Longford … … — — Louth … … 5 — Meath … … 3 2 Queen's … … 67 61 Westmeath … … 1 3 Wexford … … 10 8 Wicklow … … 30 15 Clare … … 45 19 Cork … … 96 49 Kerry … … 12 39 Limerick … … 9 8 Tipperary … … 78 70 Waterford … … 53 90 Antrim … … 14 27 Armagh … … 3 — Cavan … … 19 42 Donegal … … 1 2 Down … … 10 6 Fermanagh … … 10 6 Londonderry … … 3 13 Monaghan … … — 1 Tyrone … … 7 22 Galway … … 61 47 Leitrim … … — 1 Mayo … … 7 28 Roscommon … … 11 18 Sligo … … 17 12 Total … … 613 683