asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will outline (a) his Department's plans to develop and promote afforestation as a worthwhile alternative land use; and (b) the efforts at present undertaken by his Department to expand private forestry development.

The wide range of measures undertaken by my Department aimed at promoting afforestation as an alternative form of land use with a view to bringing about an expansion of private forestry includes the following:

—implementation of two planting grant schemes

—provision of a free technical advisory service

—organisation of a comprehensive workshop in relation to forestry investment

—promotional literature including publication of an informative booklet entitled Investing in Forestry

—liaison with farming organisations

—planting demonstrations

—on-going publicity through illustrated talks by departmental staff, advertisements and articles in the media and participation in the RDS Spring Show and other agricultural shows.