asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state what is the reason for the slow progress made in vesting land in Co. Meath, and whether he is aware that tenants in some cases are waiting for such benefit for more than eight years.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - VESTING OF LAND IN CO. MEATH.
Since the transfer of the Land Commission to the Free State Government on 31st March, 1923, 712 holdings in Co. Meath, comprising 32,384 acres, have been vested under the Land Acts, including 304 under the Acts 1923-7. The work of checking, surveying and inspection preparatory to vesting the remaining holdings under the Acts 1923-7 is being proceeded with as rapidly as possible, and a further 790 holdings, comprising 42,078 acres or thereabouts, have already been gazetted for vesting as soon as the statutory requirements have been complied with, and any questions as to area, occupancy, title, turbary rights, &c., have been determined.
Mr. O'REILLY
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that considerable loss accrues to farmers from this delay?
The Deputy stated that these estates have been in the hands of the Land Commission for the last eight years. As a matter of fact there is no estate in Co. Meath in the hands of the Land Commission for that period. There are some two or three old estates under the Land Acts of 1903 and 1909, but these are likely to be finished within the course of a few months.
Mr. O'REILLY
Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to issue to me, for instance, a tabular statement estimating the losses that have accrued through delay.
No, sir, I am not.