asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the present situation with regard to the possible afforestation of Derryrickrone bog, County Galway, and on the representations made by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

A grant was approved for the afforestation of lands at Derryrickrone, County Galway in December 1986, subject to conditions which took account of environmental considerations.

I have considered representations from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council but I am not in a position to change the terms of the issued approval.