asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the Land Commission propose to acquire compulsorily the lands of Mr. W.A. Wallis, at Rathregan, Co. Meath, whether he is aware that Mr. Wallis is a salesmaster and will be impeded in his business by the acquisition of these lands, also whether Mr. Wallis has offered other land of an equally suitable nature, or, alternatively, has asked to be allowed to retain one-third of the lands of Rathregan for the purpose of his business; whether the Land Commission have ignored both these proposals and on Monday, February 22nd, have issued an order fixing the Appointed Day as Friday, February 26th, and whether he will postpone the Appointed Day to allow further inquiries to be made into the matter.
PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTION. - COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF MEATH LAND.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission proposed to acquire under Section 24 of the Act of 1923, 515 acres of the lands of Rathregan, owned by Mr. Wallis, part of which are let by him for grazing, and the owner lodged an objection to the acquisition of the lands which was heard by the Land Commission, who, after hearing counsel for the owner, and his evidence and that of his witnesses, disallowed the objection. The price was then fixed and notice thereof published. The owner appealed against the price and his appeal was heard by the Judicial Commissioner, who fixed the price at £18,900. The lands will be vested in the Land Commission on the Appointed Day, which has been fixed as 26th February, 1926, and the Land Commission do not propose to discontinue the proceedings.
The alternative proposals made by Mr. Wallis were considered by the Commissioners.
Can the Minister say when the Appointed Day was fixed?
Mr. HOGAN
I should say a year ago, except that it would not be technically accurate. Notice was given about a year ago for the acquisition of these lands. During all that time—that is to say, during about a year—Mr. Wallis had an opportunity of making objections, and in fact, made many objections. All these objections were dealt with by negotiations which lasted, I should say, on the average, for a month in the case of practically each objection. Some of them were heard before the Commissioners, with counsel on each side, and some went to the Judicial Commissioner. The last objection was on price. That has gone before the Judicial Commissioner, and has been ruled upon, and now, after a year's negotiations—a year's notice— the Appointed Day expires on 26th February.
Is the Minister aware that Mr. Wallis's solicitors only heard on Monday last that the Appointed Day was fixed for Friday?
Mr. HOGAN
That may be.