asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the lands of Kilmacomma and Kilremack East, County Waterford (Donoughmore-Bagwell Estate), which have been acquired and planted by the Forestry Department, are overrun with deer; that the deer raid the neighbouring farms at night and cause considerable damage to crops, particularly roots, and if he will issue instructions to have the plantations encircled with a deer-proof fence, otherwise farmers whose lands adjoin the plantations will be compelled to abandon tillage.

The forestry properties referred to are not over-run by deer. I understand. however, that some wild deer exist in the district, but these animals are not afforded special harbourage in the State plantations, nor have they caused any damage thereto. The erection of a deer-proof fence around the State plantations is not feasible, nor would it effect the object suggested in the question.