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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Apr 1927

Vol. 19 No. 11

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ACQUISITION OF LANDS (CLARE).

asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that the Trustees of the Maynooth Mission to China are offering for sale in small lots large tracts of land at Cahercon, Kildysart, County Clare; if representations have been received by the Land Commission from uneconomic holders and landless men as to the suitability for distribution of that estate for the relief of congestion in that area, and if he will state whether the Commission proposes to acquire it for such distribution.

Mr. HOGAN

The Land Commission do not intend to take any action at present with regard to the acquisition of the lands of Cahercon on the estate of the Trustees of the Maynooth Mission to China.

Why do they not intend to take any action?

Mr. HOGAN

The lands are not suitable for division.

Has the Minister received representations from uneconomic holders who are seeking the land, and who cannot get any other land?

Mr. HOGAN

I have not received any representations. I am not denying that representations may have arrived. There are about one thousand acres of land there. There are 275 acres under timber; 313 acres of mountain and bog, and 430 acres of clear land, and of this clear land a very large proportion is light and shallow with stone very near to the surface. Of the thousand acres there would not be more than 200 acres fit for division, and of that 200 acres I imagine it would take forty, fifty or sixty acres to make an economic holding; possibly it would take one hundred acres to do so. It is very poor land. It is a question whether it is suitable for division at all.

asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if it is the intention, of the Land Commission to acquire for distribution the Morice estate at Sixmilebridge, County Clare, and if, in view of the length of time the negotiations are in progress regarding this estate, he will take steps to put into effect the compulsory powers vested in him.

Mr. HOGAN

The Land Commission issued an offer on the 14th ultimo for the purchase of the lands of Gloghlen and Donnybrook on the estate of Mrs. Annie Morice.

Mrs. Morice also occupies a holding in the townland of Carrownalegaun in the estate of H.D. Conner and others for which particulars have been lodged under the Land Act, 1923. The estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners, and Mrs. Morice's holding will be retained in due course.

"In due course" may mean two or three years' time. This matter has been in contemplation already for two years.

Mr. HOGAN

"In due course" does not mean two or three years' time. An offer was made and the time for replying to that offer has not yet expired.

If necessary. will the Minister use the powers vested in him for the compulsory acquisition of the place?

Mr. HOGAN

No. Then the matter will have to be dealt with by the judge not by me.

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