asked the Minister for Lands the total number of acres under forestry by his Department in Sligo and Leitrim; the total acreage matured and ready for sale in Sligo and Leitrim; and the total acreage of unplanted forestry lands in the Department's possession.

15.

asked the Minister for Lands how many forests in Sligo and Leitrim have matured or will shortly be matured.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose, to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.

The term "maturity" has no precise meaning in forestry as rotation lengths may vary widely depending on soil conditions and species. The age-structure of Forests in the two counties is such that clear felling is negligible. Total thinning production from Sligo-Leitrim forests was:

Other statistics sought for Sligo-Leitrim forests are:

Nominal plantable reserve at 31/3/67 was 4,594 acres.

16.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will give particulars of the total number of acres acquired for forestry during the last ten years; the number of acres planted; and the number of acres owned by the forestry division still unplanted.

The answer is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Nominal Plantable Reserve at 31st March, 1967: 63,486 acres.

17.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state for (a) Sligo and (b) Leitrim the total number of persons employed by the forestry division of his Department; the number employed in each of these counties; and the number employed for each forest in these counties.

The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I will arrange to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Employment week-ended 9th February, 1968.