asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will cause further enquiry to be made into the case of Michael Whelan, of Kilkea, Castledermot, Co. Kildare, an evicted tenant from the Verschoyle Estate, Cloney, Athy, who has been refused reinstatement on the ground that he is 80 years of age, and that he has no near relatives, whereas it is stated that his real age is 72, and that he has a daughter living with him and three grandchildren.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CASTLEDERMOT EVICTED TENANT.
Mr. HOGAN
This case has been fully enquired into by the Land Commission and they do not consider it necessary to make further enquiry.
If I show the Minister a positive statement made by this man bearing out the assertions made in the question, will he make further inquiries?
Mr. HOGAN
The difference as to facts, as between the Land Commission and the applicant, seems to be a question whether he is 72 or 80 years of age, and whether he has a daughter living or not. I am satisfied that these facts will not alter the Commissioners' decision.
Is not the Minister aware that it was on these grounds that this man was refused reinstatement? That was plainly stated the last time I asked a question—first, on the ground that he was 80 years of age, and secondly, that he had no near relatives. I have his positive assurance that he has a daughter and three grandchildren living with him in a tenement house, and that he is only 72 years of age.
Mr. HOGAN
Even accepting the applicant's statement of the case, this man of 72 years of age, with a daughter and grand-daughters living, was evicted from an extremely small holding. The Land Commission cannot hope to deal with all evicted tenants and must pick and choose. They have decided, and I agree, that this is a case which they must unfortunately rule out.