asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that ten small holders adjoining the "Little Curragh" were, at the Droichead Nua District Court, held on the 2nd instant, fined for trespass of cattle on the Curragh Greenlands, and whether, in view of the hardships borne by those poor people and of the fact that they hold grazing rights for over 30 years at the rate of one shilling per head per month, he will consider the representations made to him on the 10th and 23rd July, 1923, to have Section 3 of the Curragh Act of 1870 repealed so that those small holders may be permitted to graze their cows as heretofore.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SMALL HOLDERS ON THE CURRAGH.
Certain tenants of small holdings adjacent to the Curragh have been prosecuted and fined for trespassing on the Green Lands. They had no right to graze cattle, as the Curragh Act of 1870 specially provides that no animal, other than sheep, shall be depastured on the Curragh.
For some time trespass and encroachment upon the Curragh and illegal transfer of rights have been on the increase, and, until the time comes for a review of the whole question as to the future use of the Curragh, I am not prepared to consider an alteration of the law on a minor point. Meanwhile, the existing law must be observed. I might say that one of the principal agitators in this matter is a man with, I am informed, sixty acres of land.
Does the Minister agree that there have been, as a matter of fact, grazing privileges exercised by the tenants there for over thirty years and payment made for those grazing privileges?
I have no information that it was so for a period of thirty years, but if it was, it was certainly quite illegal—both the privilege and the payments for it.
Is the Minister aware that the permission was given by the Deputy Ranger, who received payment from people pasturing cattle?
He had no right to accept any payment.
Is the Minister aware that the Deputy Ranger is a member of this House?
No; the Ranger is.
Are we to understand that it is the policy of the Minister to deprive these freeholders of the rights which they had under British rule? Does the Minister think that this policy will lead to, or promote, loyalty, or peace in the country?
I have nothing to add to what I said.