asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the estate of Wallis (U. 1036), Rathregan, Batterstown, Co. Meath, has been taken over by the Land Commission, which Department, it is stated, has rented these lands on the grazing system, and if he will state the reasons for such letting, and whether it is intended to divide these lands amongst those who have applied for holdings thereon, and, if so, when.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RENTING OF MEATH LANDS.
The lands referred to were acquired principally with the object of providing a holding for a migrant from County Mayo, whose holding is being taken up for the relief of congestion. Owing to the delay in obtaining possession of the lands it was not possible to make arrangements for the removal of the migrant, and accordingly the lands have been let for grazing for the season.
Could the Minister state if the Rathregan estate has been taken for the accommodation of one migrant from the West of Ireland, as his reply goes to show?
Mr. HOGAN
This land has been taken for the purpose of accommodating, I think, one or two migrants who have given up a large area of land in Mayo, and who must get land in exchange, because the land they are surrendering is subject to a land purchase annuity. The Land Commission are unable to acquire land subject to a land purchase annuity without giving equally suitable and no less valuable land to the migrant elsewhere.
That is not an answer to the question.
Mr. HOGAN
I think it is.
Could the Minister state if the whole estate of Rathregan is to be handed over to one migrant from the West?
Mr. HOGAN
I am not sure whether the man in Mayo has 400 or 500 acres. If I am right in saying that there are 400 or 500 acres there everything would depend on that. This is a fairly big farm and the information I have is that by far the largest portion of the holding will go to a landholder in Mayo who holds land subject to a land purchase annuity. I could not say definitely now whether there would be more than one or two migrants, but I know far the largest proportion of it would go to such a man. I got no indication in the question that the Deputy would want information of that sort, that is, the number of people likely to be dealt with afterwards, but he can take it generally that far the largest proportion of the land was taken in order to give land to migrants.
Is the net result of this to increase the area under tillage in County Meath?
Is the Minister aware that the removal of this land owner from Mayo would relieve seventy congests whose valuation is only about thirty shillings?
Mr. HOGAN
I am aware of that and I think Deputy Nally has given a complete answer to Deputy Johnson.
Deputy Nally only dealt with the area in Mayo. I want to know whether the result of this transfer is to increase or alter in any way the area of land under tillage in Meath.
Mr. HOGAN
The result will be to increase the area of tillage in Mayo and Meath.