asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether it has been decided to proceed with the afforestation of lands offered to his Department in Meentinadea, Ardara, County Donegal; and, if so, the date on which work is likely to commence.

A large number of offers of scattered areas in the Ardara district have been received and are being inspected. It will not be possible to decide on the question of starting an afforestation scheme in the district until the full results of the inspections and negotiations for purchase are available.

Can the Minister say if the investigations now in progress will take a long time?

I cannot give any definite answer as to the outcome of the negotiations because they may break down at the last moment.

It will be less than 15 years.

Sixteen years.

asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that 180 acres of land approximately are available for afforestation purposes at Radacloghane and Kilderry, Miltown; and, further, in view of the fact that a forestry centre is being established at Glencar, whether he will ensure that the forestry division will operate the Miltown scheme from the centre at Glencar.

The only lands on offer in this area comprise 86 acres in all and the prices asked are, in the opinion of the forestry division, far in excess of the maximum value of the lands. They are too far from Glencar to be worked as part of that forest.

There is no immediate prospect of starting a forestry scheme in the Milltown area.