asked the Minister for Lands if representations have been made to his Department in relation to the failure of the Land Commission to allot a portion of the lands at Killeghan, County Roscommon, to the priest in occupation of St. John's Presbytery; if he is aware that, for the past 50 years, the priest in the occupation of St. John's Presbytery has had the right to graze stock on those lands, free of charge, and the deduction of half a rood from each of the allottees would suffice for the priest's requirements; and if he will take steps to have portion of the lands at Killeghan restored to the priest of St. John's.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allotment of Roscommon and Galway Lands.
This is a matter within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Land Commissioners who have informed me that they gave careful consideration to the possibility of providing an accommodation allotment in connection with St. John's Church. The neighbourhood, however, is acutely congested-there were 133 applicants for land on this estate-and the amount of land available was insufficient to provide adequate allotments for all deserving small-holders. In the circumstances, it was not practicable to make an allotment to the Diocesan Trustees.
Is the Minister aware that all those who have been granted allotments on that estate are willing and anxious, and have signed a petition to that effect, to sacrifice small portions of their allotments for the purpose in question? In view of that, would the Minister reconsider his decision and will he accept my assurance that such is the case?
I have no objection at all to accepting the Deputy's assurance, but this is a matter entirely for the Land Commission.
The Minister has no function in the matter?
No function.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that on the occasion of the division of the Turoe (Payne) estate, situate at Bullaun, Loughrea, County Galway, Thomas Duane, a married man with I.R.A. service, was denied an allotment; that this applicant has no house of his own, but is obliged to reside with his parents and married brother; that the plot of land which he owns convenient to Turoe (Receivable Order No. 84/1624) is so small that the poor law valuation is only £9 10s. 0d., this being the lowest valuation of any applicant on this estate; if he will indicate why this man was not given an allotment; and if he will take steps to see that land is made available for him as soon as possible.
Having regard to the limited area of land available and the prior claims of other applicants, it was not found possible to provide an allotment for Thomas Duane on the lands of Turoe on the Payne estate. His application will be considered on its merits in connection with the division of any land that may become available for distribution in the locality.
The Deputy is not correct in stating that Mr. Duane's valuation is the lowest valuation of any applicant in this matter.
Would I be correct in stating that men with valuations over £18 got increases of land, while this man, with a valuation of £9 10s., was refused an increase, even though he is a married man with a family, with a piece of land within a statute mile of the area in which this land was available? Can the Minister state why this man did not get an increase when other men with higher valuations and who are unmarried did?
The Deputy is again incorrect in stating that Mr. Duane lives within a mile of this estate. I refer the Deputy to the parable of the loaves and fishes.
His land is within a mile of it. He has to live in Kinvara with his brother.
I am aware of that, but the Land Commission cannot make provision for every applicant.
Especially when he is not a Government supporter.
Provision was made for men of £18 valuation. Why by-pass the small valuation man?
I must ask you, Sir, to afford me an opportunity on some future occasion to raise this matter on the adjournment, because I regard the position as rather scandalous.