To ask the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the Congested District Board hold considerable tracts of land in the Arran Islands which they have let at present for grazing purposes; and whether, and if so, when, it is proposed to distribute this land among the owners of small uneconomic holdings in the neighbourhood, so as to relieve in some measure the great distress which exists in the Islands.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - GRAZING IN THE ARRAN ISLANDS.
The only land held by the Congested Districts Board in Arran is the Killeaney farm which they are arranging to sell to a committee of the Islanders, with a view to providing grazing for the live stock of those householders who have little or no land. This is the best method of utilising the farm, in view of the large number of uneconomic holdings on the island. In the matter of the relief of congestion the population of Arran has to be treated exceptionally, as it must be dealt with as a fishing rather than as an agricultural community. Pending the sale of the lands to the committee, stock is being taken on for grazing, and some small portions are let for tillage to labourers living adjacent to the farm.