asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry his proposals for the purchase of additional land in County Donegal for afforestation.

At a recent date my Department had entered into contracts for the purchase of some 2,100 acres in County Donegal for afforestation purposes. Further offers of land in the county are being considered as they arise.

Is the Minister aware that the price of land is at an all-time low in County Donegal? Will his Department take advantage of that and buy a considerable amount of land?

The price for forestry land is at an all-time low in every county, not just Donegal. I have an allocation of £3.5 million and every penny of it will be spent in acquiring land right across the country. I cannot favour one county more than another. These decisions are made by my Department and they will be related to the staff available in each county. I should like to state that the new policy, which I hope will be accepted by the Government, will apply to all counties, including Donegal.

Will all this money be spent on land bought this year or is some of that money allocated to paying for land bought last year?

The £3.5 million will be spent in acquiring land in 1984. The same amount was available for 1983 and, by the end of the year, practically all that money was spent in acquiring land.

Has all the land which was acquired last year been paid for?

I do not have that information but I am sure if it has not been paid for already it will be paid for in the near future.

Will the Minister ensure that when money is being spent in all Departments Donegal will get one twenty-sixth of the amount available? If so, I would have no reason for complaint.

That seems to be a budgetary matter which will arise on the debate later on.