asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Government Farm, Lusk, County Dublin, is being advertised in the Press by the Commissioners of Public Works as being to Let on Lease; whether this farm consists of over 160 acres; whether he is aware that there are in the neighbourhood of this farm a number of small holdings, and whether before accepting any offer of a lease he will offer the farm to the Irish Land Commission either for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings or the relief of congestion.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GOVERNMENT FARM AT LUSK.
asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Public Works are advertising in the Press the letting on lease of the Government Farm at Lusk, County Dublin, that this farm is situate in close proximity to the most congested districts of County Dublin, where the people are among the most hardworking and expert intensive agriculturists in the world, and that in 1925 when these lands were offered for grazing, these congests made an offer to take the lands for tillage; whether he will consider withdrawing the advertisement in its present form and either transfer the lands to the Land Commission for sub-division among these congests or offer the lands on lease in suitable lots to the congests at an economic rent.
I have not got the information which Deputy Cooper requires at the moment.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary see that this land is not let until the Land Commission have an opportunity of considering whether or not they want it?
I will.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary withdraw the advertisement in the meantime?
No.
These congests were refused this farm before and it was given to a grazier.