asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable irritation is felt by tenants affected by the Land Act, 1923, at the delay in fixing the appointed day, and if he will give instructions for the immediate vesting of estates where no arrears exist, and if he is now prepared to state when the legislation dealing with arrears of rent will be introduced.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OPERATION OF LAND ACT, 1923.
Mr. HOGAN
Estates are dealt with by the Land Commission in their order of priority as determined by the dates on which the prescribed schedules of particulars are lodged, and when the requirements of the statutes and rules have been complied with the appointed day is fixed, provided there are no compounded arrears of rent due.
It would be obviously impossible to answer the latter part of the question by the procedure of question and answer.
Does the Minister repudiate the statement made by one member of the Government that legislation will be brought in in which the arrears of rent will be dealt with?
Was that during the General Election?
That was during election time.
Mr. HOGAN
Possibly as other Deputies are very ready to answer this question I am not called upon to do so.
Is the Minister prepared to make arrangements by which the arrears of rent will be dealt with quickly in order to allow of vesting? That is the point; it is not a question of elections.
Mr. HOGAN
I have not repudiated any statement. You asked me, in the latter portion of this question, if I am now prepared to state when legislation dealing with arrears of rent will be introduced. That is a fair enough question, and I think I owe the Deputy an apology, because I thought he asked me what were the terms of that Bill. Such legislation will be introduced within the next month.