§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if provision will be made for a substantial Grant to carry on the work of afforestation in Ireland; if he is aware of the amount of timber cut down for the past two years, and that no effort has been made to replant the tracts thus laid waste; and if he will say what are the Government's proposals in this matter?
§ Mr. DUKEOwing to the great demand for timber there have been large fellings in Ireland during the past two years, and the Department of Agriculture have submitted proposals to the Development Commissioners with a view to the replanting of areas cleared and the extension of planting. The purchase of land for forestry purposes is suspended, and operations on lands already acquired are continued only so far as is necessary to prevent loss. It is anticipated that planting will be resumed at the end of the War.