asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state the policy of the Irish Land Commission in connection with the demesne lands of Sligo estate now being divided; whether a large portion of the lands referred to will be given to tenants as back stripes or additions; and whether he is aware that this method of dealing with the problem of congestion is considered very unsatisfactory.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DEMESNE LANDS OF SLIGO.
Proceedings were instituted by the Land Commission under the provisions of the Land Act, 1923, for the acquisition of the lands of Westport Demesne and Tonaraha, containing respectively 464 acres 0 roods and 6 perches and 57 acres 3 roods 34 perches. These lands were published in a Provisional List of lands which, if not excluded in consequence of a valid objection, will become vested in the Land Commission on the appointed day.
The price of these lands has been determined and a scheme for their division and distribution is presently in course of preparation.
Untenanted lands purchased by the Land Commission are distributed by the Commissioners in the exercise of the discretion vested in them by statute to the best advantage having regard to the number and circumstances of the applicants and the area of land available for distribution.
I would like to inform the Parliamentary Secretary that it is rumoured in the Westport district that a lot of back stripes are to be the result of the present operations on the demesne at Westport. I would remind the Parliamentary Secretary that the villages around Westport and Kilmeena require rearrangement badly. It would be much more convenient for the people concerned if those lands were given out in holdings and if the tenants were removed from the old places. It would be a much more satisfactory adjustment of the land settlement in the district to have the land of these migrants distributed among the remaining tenants.
I do not know exactly what the Deputy means. The men engaged on the scheme are men who have considerable experience in that area. I think the Deputy can rest assured that they will carry out a scheme of distribution which will satisfy the needs of the people.
What I fear is that there is something in the rumour afloat that the demesne is going to be divided in back stripes. The people are very anxious that that would not take place; for, in many localities, the thing has proved very unsatisfactory.
I would advise the Deputy not to listen to rumours.
Unfortunately the country suffers by transactions such as these, and we find there is a lot in rumours very often. The thing is serious and requires looking after.