asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the Land Commission have taken any steps to acquire the lands of Colonel Reginald Dashwood, comprising Johnsbrook, Cloucat, and Druminallistrin, situated in the Barony of Upper Kells, and County of Meath, and if he can state how far the activities of the Land Commission have advanced towards the acquisition of these lands.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ACQUIREMENT OF CO. MEATH LANDS.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission are making enquiries as to the suitability of the lands referred to, for acquisition under the provisions of the Land Act, 1923.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he can state what steps, if any, have been taken by the Land Commission to acquire the lands of Barry at Dangan, Summerhill, Co. Meath, and if it is intended to set aside portion of these lands as a cow plot for the accommodation of labourers and others who have cows and calves.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands referred to have been inspected and the question of their acquisition by the Land Commission is under consideration.
In the division of lands acquired by the Commissioners applications from deserving applicants will receive consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware of the very serious congestion existing in and around Trim, and if it is intended to acquire the lands of Kennedy at Trim to relieve congestion and to make available a substantial portion of same for a cow plot for the accommodation of labourers and others resident in and around the town of Trim.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission have gazetted the lands of Ardanew on the Kennedy estate as lands which will, if not excluded in consequence of a valid objection, be vested in the Land Commission.
In the division of the lands applications from deserving applicants in the district will receive consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that in taking depositions from local people preparatory to the division of the Sir Nugent Everard Estate at Ballyhist, Kells, Co. Meath, the Land Commission Inspector failed to call to the men who lost their employment through the acquisition of this estate, and whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to ignore the claims of these men, who number eleven, and whether he will take the necessary steps to see that they get allotments or be otherwise compensated for their loss of employment.
Mr. HOGAN
Sir Nugent Everard's Estate has not yet been vested in the Land Commission. When the lands are being divided the case of employees will be fully considered.
Arising out of that answer, would the Minister say if an inspector from the Land Commission has been down to that area and taken depositions from people in the locality with a view to the division of the land?
Mr. HOGAN
The implication is that the land has been valued but not vested. If it has been valued, of course, an inspector has been there to prepare the valuation, but I think it unlikely at this stage that an inspector would be preparing a scheme for the division of the lands before vesting. I have no special information, and I would have to inquire as to that.