asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether it is a fact that the Land Commission propose evicting Mr. Peter Weldon, who has worked and resided in a workman's cottage on the McCann Estate, Tankardstown, County Meath, for over twelve years, and propose to provide a house and holding on this estate for the herd on the Bobbet Estate, Fyanstown, County Meath, and, if so, if he will state why the herd of Fyanstown Estate cannot be provided with a holding on the latter estate out of lands not yet divided, and whether it is proposed in any way to compensate Mr. Weldon if the eviction takes place.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LAND COMMISSION ACTIVITIES.
Notice of this question was received only yesterday, and the necessary inquiries could not, therefore, be completed. I hope to be in a position to reply in about a week's time.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the Land Commission propose planting migrants on the Fyanstown, Bobbet Estate, County Meath, notwithstanding the fact that the demands of local congests have not yet been satisfied, and if so, whether he will take steps to see that the claims of local uneconomic holders get priority over migrants.
also asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he will have inquiries made as to why a number of uneconomic holders resident in close proximity to Fyanstown, Bobbet Estate, County Meath, were not allotted holdings on the said Estate when same was being distributed on the 12th February, 1927, and whether it is in accordance with the policy of the Land Commission to grant holdings to people who reside from three to six miles from such holdings, and deny, without any reason being assigned, the claims of local uneconomic holders for extension of their present holdings, as is the case in the division of Fyanstown; and if on investigation he is satisfied that unfair distribution was made, he will cause a redistribution of the Fyanstown Estate to be made.
Mr. HOGAN
My reply will cover the two questions. All suitable local uneconomic holders have been dealt with in the division of this Estate, and no person got an allotment of land who resides over two miles from it, with the exception of one landless man who was a Volunteer. The question of providing a holding for a migrant on the portion of the lands not yet divided is under consideration.
Does the Minister deny that one man who has received land there resides at a place called Moynall in the County Meath, six miles from the lands that were divided?
Mr. HOGAN
The answer is that no person got an allotment of the land who "resides over two miles from it with the exception of one landless man." Is he the man?
No, he is a man with a holding of ten acres, and the Minister's information is correct.
Mr. HOGAN
You will find that it is.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if consequent on the erection of seventeen houses for ex-service men on the Cloncurry estate, partly in County Dublin and partly in Kildare, the construction of a road-way to the houses was undertaken by the Land Commission; if this road-way has been left in an unfinished state to the great inconvenience of the residents; if the Circuit Judge before whom the occupiers of the houses were cited for non-payment of rates stated that if the road-way was not put into repair he would not again grant decrees for rates against these people; and if the Minister will direct that the work of providing a proper road-way be undertaken at once.
Mr. HOGAN
Notice of this question was received only yesterday and the necessary inquiries could not, therefore, be completed.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if in the course of the division of the Lynch Estate at Alliganstown, Ballymore-Eustace, County Kildare, a right-of-way appertaining to Mr. Joseph Quinn's farm and leading to his house was interfered with and rendered impassable, causing him loss and inconvenience; and if Mr. Quinn will be granted compensation to enable him to make a proper approach to his house and premises.
Mr. HOGAN
The right-of-way leading to Mr. Joseph Quinn's farm crossed a flowing stream.
The Land Commission when dividing the Lynch Estate found it necessary to use part of this right-of-way and erected a reinforced concrete bridge over the stream, and considerably improved the right-of-way.
When the work is complete Mr. Quinn will have a much better entrance than he had heretofore and it will not be so liable to obstructions by floods.
Am I to take it that the Land Commission will see that this man's right of way is restored?
Mr. HOGAN
The position is that the man has a better right of way now than formerly.
He asserts quite the contrary.
Mr. HOGAN
He has a bridge now for the first time.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state in such a manner that they can be readily identified in regard to County Tipperary (a) the estates which have been acquired by the Land Commission for the purpose of division, but which have not yet been divided; (b) the estates in regard to which offers have been made by the Land Commission, but where acquisition has not yet taken place; (c) the estates in regard to which offers have been made by the Land Commission and where the owner has appealed to the Judicial Commissioner on the question of price.
Mr. HOGAN
The answer to this question is a long one. I propose to send within the next few days a reply to the Deputy giving the information in regard to the matters referred to in his question. I do not propose to read it now. There is one item of information that I do not propose to give, and that is information as to the cases that are actually sub judice. I will give him a list of the cases that are ruled on, but not the case sub judice.
Will the Minister see that a copy of his reply is incorporated in the Official Report of the Dáil?
Mr. HOGAN
Yes.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if any steps have been taken towards the acquisition of the following estates in County Tipperary—viz.: (a) Saunders Estate (or Dawson), Aherlow; (b) Barrymore Estate, Ballinree, Cashel; and (c) the Barrymore Estate, Cordangan; and, if so, when it is proposed to divide these estates.
Mr. HOGAN
The reply is: (a) Saunders Estate—The Land Commission have had the question of the acquisition of the untenanted lands of the Saunders Estate, County Tipperary, under consideration and have decided to take no action in the matter. (b) Barrymore Estate, Ballinree—The untenanted lands of Ballinree, containing 518a. 2r. on the estate of Lord Barrymore, have been vested in the Land Commission, and it is anticipated that the division of the lands will be made at an early date. (c) Barrymore Estate, Cordangan—The Land Commission are in negotiation with the owner for the purchase of these lands under Section 36 of the Land Act. 1923.
Can the Minister state why the Land Commission has decided to take no action in connection with Cordangan?
Mr. HOGAN
I would want notice of that question.
SEAN PRIOMHDHAIL
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state what steps, if any, are being taken by the Land Commission to acquire the estate of the late Earl of Bandon, which is at present let as grazing land.
Mr. HOGAN
The question of the acquisition of the lands referred to is under consideration.
SEAN PRIOMHDHAIL
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether the Land Commission received about two years ago an application signed by four Deputies, requesting the Commissioners to acquire the Franks Estate, County Cork, and if he can now state whether the Commissioners are prepared to comply with the request or state the reasons why they are unable to do so.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commissioners on consideration of all the circumstances have decided not to acquire these lands.
Will the Minister state the reason?
Mr. HOGAN
The reason is the manner in which the land is used, and another reason is the number of labourers employed. A third reason is the number of holdings that could be made out of it.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the untenanted land on the Eivers Estate, at Parsonstown, Carbury, County Kildare, containing about 500 acres, for distribution among uneconomic holders.
Mr. HOGAN
The acquisition of the lands referred to is at present under consideration by the Land Commission.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state when it is intended to distribute that portion of the Nicholson Estate, County Meath, known as Irishtown, and whether same will be divided among local applicants.
Mr. HOGAN
The allotment of the lands at Irishtown is at present under consideration by the Land Commission.
Will the Minister answer the latter part of the question?
Mr. HOGAN
I believe that these lands are being held for a migrant.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he can state the cause of the delay in acquiring the Murphy Estate, Follistown, County Meath, owned by Mrs. L. O'Reilly, and also the delay in acquiring the Metge Estate, Alexanderide, and whether he can now state if both estates will be acquired and divided during the present spring, and, if not, whether he can state when the said estates will be acquired and divided.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands of Follistown on the estate of Lady Mowbray and Stourton are held by R.F. Meagher and Mrs. L. O'Reilly as judicial tenants. This holding will be dealt with by the Land Commission as a "retained holding." The untenanted lands on the townland of Alexanderide will be dealt with in connection with the tenanted lands on this estate.
Could the Minister say when it will be dealt with?
Mr. HOGAN
I could not.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he can state if there is any defined rule which disqualifies a national school teacher, who is an uneconomic holder, from acquiring land when same is being distributed convenient to his holding, and, if so, if he will state such rule.
Mr. HOGAN
In general circumstances a schoolmaster is not the type of person to whom the Land Commission would allot land. I may say that this is the only case in regard to this estate that the Deputy recommended to the Land Commission. That is apropos of his reference in a previous question.