asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state the cause of delay by the Land Commission in dividing the lands on the Freeley Estate, Lisduff, Bally haunis, which were purchased through the National Land Bank in 1920.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - ACQUISITION AND DIVISION OF LANDS.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands comprising the Agloragh Co-operative Farming Society were vested in the Land Commission on 3rd March, 1925, in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Land Act, 1923. The division of the lands could not be carried out by the Land Commission pending the enactment of further legislation to amend the Land Act, 1923. In view of the provisions of the Land Act, 1927, the Commissioners anticipate that they will be in a position to deal with the matter at an early date.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware of the steps taken to purchase the Brady Farm at Hagfield, Charlestown, Co. Mayo, and what steps, if any, have been taken for its division for the relief of congestion in the townland.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands referred to comprise 196a. 3r. 38p. of the townland of Treanacally or Hagfield, and are subject to a land purchase annuity. Inquiries are being made.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that acute congestion exists in the parish of Islandeady, Castlebar, County Mayo, and if he will state what steps, if any, are being taken to acquire the large grazing ranch held by Mr. Matthew Fahy, Greenhills, Islandeady, for the purpose of providing economic holdings for the tenants whose valuations are under £5 in that district.
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission are aware that congestion exists in the neighbourhood of the lands referred to, and they have the acquisition of the lands which are otherwise known as lands of Clageragh, East and West, under consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether, when the grazing sand banks situated on the Bingham Estate, Doohoma, Geesala, Co. Mayo, were acquired by the late Congested Districts Board, it was decided that compensation was payable to Messrs. John Cronin, Emlebeg, Belmullet; Pat Manning, Emlebeg, Belmullet; Anthony Gaughan, Pat Ginty, Phelix Henry, Edward Gaughan, Pat McGuire, and Bridget Monaghan, residents in Doohoma, Geesala, Mayo, for their rights on these banks; whether such compensation has yet been paid, and whether he will say what is the present position of the matter.
Mr. HOGAN
The lands referred to appear to be a holding situate in the townland of Doohoma, held by the eight persons mentioned as tenants in co. on the Estate of Bingham, which was acquired by the late Congested Districts Board. The Board also acquired the tenancy interest in these lands on 1st November, 1924, by means of resumption proceedings, but as the tenants were not at the time able to prove their title to the lands, the purchase money was lodged in Court. Title has now been shown and the purchase money, less a deduction for rent due, will be paid to the persons entitled in the course of the present week.