asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken towards the acquisition and distribution of the following lands:—The Ging Estate, Calligstown, Hazelhatch; The Kennedy Estate, Collmine, Saggart; The Verschoyle-Campbell Estate, Saggart; The Lock O'Carroll Estate, Coalmanstown, Athgoe, Hazelhatch; and how soon it is expected that negotiations will be completed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISTRIBUTION OF LANDS.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission have gazetted the untenanted lands of Calligstown Upper and Lower, comprising 370 acres, 0 roods, 13 perches, and Slademore, comprising 41 acres 3 roods 18 perches on the estate of Peter Ging, County Dublin, and the price thereof has been fixed. A scheme for the division of these lands is at present under consideration. That means, in effect, that no other queries are likely to come in in connection with the estate once the price has been fixed. It means that the other queries have been dealt with. Inquiries are being made as regards the lands of Coolmine on the estate of H. Kennedy. The lands of Coalmanstown comprise a holding on the estate of Mrs. Margaret L. O'Carroll, Co. Dublin, for which particulars have been lodged by the owner under the Land Act, 1923. The estate has not yet been reached in its order of priority to be dealt with by the Land Commission under the purchase provisions of the Act. Perhaps what the Deputy referred to is a tenancy or lease on the Coalmanstown estate. The particulars in regard to this estate have been furnished by the landlord and are being dealt with by the Land Commission in the ordinary way. That is to say, the tenants are getting the usual reduction. But with regard to the acquisition of the holding of one tenant on the estate — the particular holding which the Deputy refers to — the Land Commission have not come to a decision as yet, but are making inquiries as to whether they will acquire that holding or not.
Then there is the Verschoyle-Campbell Estate.
Mr. HOGAN
I overlooked that and shall give the Deputy a written reply in reference to it.
Could the Minister say how soon the Ging Estate is likely to be dealt with — finally distributed?
Mr. HOGAN
I cannot. I understand that there is a general wish on the part of a great many Deputies to have a debate on this question of the rapidity with which the Land Commission is proceeding. I could not very well enter into that question without entering into a great many questions which I could not very well deal with by question and answer. If that debate takes place in the near future, I shall have an opportunity of putting the whole position before Deputies, and the Deputy will then be able to make up his mind on the matter.
Is that an intimation that there is not going to be any distribution for a long time?
Mr. HOGAN
Surely I have not suggested anything of the kind.
Very like it.