West Donegal turbary plots
The Minister said there were no plans to buy more bog land, but the Land Commission hoped to allot about 100 plots from land it already held. Pressed to make them available before the turf-cutting season, he said plans were being prepared and plots would be distributed as quickly as possible, identifying the O’Donnell and Mount Charles estates in Dungloe.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he proposes to have more land purchased in west Donegal in view of the shortage of turbary plots there.
Comment on this
The Land Commission have no proposals for the purchase of further bog land in west Donegal. The commission hope, however, to prepare, later this year, a scheme for the allotment of about 100 additional bog plots from land already in their possession.
Comment on this
Would the Minister accept that, in view of the increase in the price of fuel over the last number of years, and particularly last week, many people in west Donegal do not have turbary plots and therefore it is of extreme urgency, in view of the fact that the Minister does not propose to acquire any further land, that these plots are allocated in the very near future so that these people can cut turf during the forthcoming season?
Comment on this
As I say, the plans will be prepared later this year and early next year so that the plots will be distributed very quickly.
Comment on this
I do not intend to come down here to waste my time. I come down from Donegal to work on behalf of the people there. I am asking the Minister to direct this Department to allocate these in the very near future before the summer season, otherwise it will be of no advantage.