andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Lands if he will give details of his Department's plans for the development of State forestries in County Kildare over the next 20 years.

Development of State forestry depends on the land acquisition position which in turn depends on the rate at which offers of suitable land come forward and price agreements are made.

I could not give any reasoned estimate of what lands may be acquired in County Kildare in future years. Acquisition in the past five years averaged 250 acres per year. At 31st March, 1970, agreement had been reached for the purchase of a further 592 acres.