asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he has received complaints from workers and uneconomic holders on and adjacent to the estates of Messrs. Ball and Baker, Edenderry, Offaly, regarding the action of the owners in depriving the people of the district of grazing rights previously enjoyed by them, with the result that about forty families in the town of Edenderry are deprived of their customary milk supply, and whether, in view of the proposal of the Land Commission to acquire these lands, he will direct the Commission to arrange with the present owners for a continuance of grazing rights of the parties concerned pending the division of these lands amongst the uneconomic holders and landless men in the district.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BALL AND BAKER ESTATE (OFFALY).
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the estates of Deborah Ball and Louis Edgill (formerly Baker) under the provisions of the 1923 Land Act, but the Land Commission have not yet acquired the lands, and at the present stage of the proceedings they cannot interfere with the manner in which the owners may utilise the lands.
Is it not possible for the Commissioners to make some arrangement for the protection of those who have and should have rights pending the acquisition of those lands, particularly as in the case in question the throwing out of the cattle of the workers and of the uneconomic holders on the roads, is a source of great loss to the milk supply of the town of Edenderry.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands have been acquired compulsorily, and up to this it has been impossible to make arrangements. The only thing we can do is to acquire land as quickly as possible.
If the cows have to graze on the roadside the Minister for Justice will have to deal with them.
Has the Land Commission discretionary power to decide whether it is wise in all interests to distribute certain lands?
Mr. HOGAN
Of course. It is a power which is constantly exercised. That is their function.