asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he will instruct the Land Commission, when dividing the estates recently acquired in North Kildare, to reserve suitable parcels for cow-parks near the towns of Maynooth, Kilcock, etc., and also favourably to consider the applications of tenants of labourers' cottages and other suitable landless men for sufficient land to enable them to keep a cow and grow foodstuffs for their families.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LAND DIVISION IN KILDARE.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission when dividing lands consider the applications received from persons mentioned in Section 31 (1) of the Land Act, 1923. When lands within a reasonable distance of towns are acquired, the question of providing cow-parks for the inhabitants is considered by the Land Commission.
I daresay that the Land Commission considers the applications of tenants of labourers' cottages, but does it allot them any portions of land? Consideration is one thing and allotting a portion of land is another. Is the Minister aware that on the Aylmer estate in North Kildare some cottiers had grass taken on the eleven months' system, but their cattle have been driven off and they have no place to put them? One man tells me that he holds four acres under tillage and has only half an acre to put his cows and calves on. This man is a County Councillor and a Peace Commissioner, and is it right that people should be treated like that?
Mr. HOGAN
The Deputy is incorrect when he states that the Land Commission stops short at promising consideration to labourers when an estate is divided. I do not know any case in which they stopped short at consideration. They give land to labourers whose employment is interfered with by the division of an estate. I do not know the merits of the Aylmer case. I am not prepared to state offhand who is to get land on that estate and who is not. I can, however, promise one thing, and that is that all the people who are expecting land will not get it.
Are County Councillors and Peace Commissioners entitled to preference?
Perhaps the Minister would make inquiries in regard to the driving of cattle off these lands.
Mr. HOGAN
I will, of course, if the Deputy gives me further particulars.
I will.