asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the inordinate amount of time spent by the local fire brigade fighting forest fires, he is prepared to make a contribution towards the cost of fire fighting in North Leitrim.

I am not aware that an inordinate amount of time has been spent by the local fire brigades in fighting forest fires in North Leitrim. During the past year the services of the local fire brigade were availed of on only two occasions in this area.

As the Deputy will know, my Department is already paying a considerable sum to the local authority by way of bounty-in lieu of rates on State forest lands.