Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Bord na Móna sold lands at a location (details supplied) by private treaty in 1997 without notice to the local landowners from whom it had compulsorily acquired the said lands; the reason the local landowners were not offered back the lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26015/12]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Bord na Móna exercised its statutory power to compulsorily acquire lands at a location (details supplied) in County Mayo from local landowners and then never cut turf on that land and instead subsequently found the lands not suitable for that purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26022/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.

The acquisition, development and disposal of lands by Bord na Móna are operational matters for the company, acting under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, and I have no function in this matter. I am advised by Bord na Móna that the company acquired over 5,000 hectares of land in North Mayo mainly in the early 1950's as part of a development programme to enable peat to be produced to supply Bellacorick Power Station. The particular lands in question were part of this overall acquisition programme. Bord na Móna acquired the full freehold title to the property and the owners were compensated accordingly.

Bord na Móna advises that some years after the original acquisition, the particular lands in question were identified as unsuitable to support efficient peat harvesting operations. The lands remained in the Company's possession. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bord na Móna's financial position deteriorated, necessitating rationalisation across the company. As part of the rationalisation an agreement was reached to sell 190 hectares at Corvoderry, County Mayo. The Turf Development Act 1946 statutorily empowers Bord na Móna to sell lands that are no longer required for its functions. Bord na Móna advises that in the circumstances at the time of the sale of the lands in question, there was no requirement for it to go to tender to advertise this land. The land was purchased subject to the purchaser obtaining approval for grant aid for forestry.

Development of the land for forestry was in line with Government policy to support afforestation and grant aid was available from the then Department of Energy. The applicant was approved for grant aid and the contracts for sale were completed in 1992. Forestry was subsequently planted on the site.