asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the Land Commission have yet acquired the lands known as Kellistown and Moyle, and, if so, whether he can state what progress, if any, has been made as to the division of these lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Land (Kellistown and Moyle Area).
The lands of Kellistown and the lands of Moyle were purchased by committees, and are being dealt with by the Land Commission under Section 42 of the Land Act, 1927, and the Land Commission are now in a position to vest the lands if and when clear possession can be given by the committees who own and manage the respective lands.
The Minister for Finance has sanctioned the purchase moneys, and the banks who lent the money have accepted the offers made in discharge of their claims.
A scheme of distribution of the lands amongst selected applicants has been approved of by the Commissioners, and an inspector attended on the lands on two different occasions within the last fortnight, but the committees were unable to give him clear possession, and the lands cannot be vested until this has been done. An arrangement, however, has been made by which the allottees have been let into temporary occupation pending the vesting of the lands at occupation rents equivalent to their future purchase annuities.
Mr. Doyle
Is the Minister aware that people with 60 acres have got portion of this land that was divided, while uneconomic holders in the district adjacent to the land divided have got none of it?
That is an every-day occurrence.
That is really a different question, but so far as I am aware—and I happen to know a little in connection with the distribution of this land—we made every effort to provide for all the deserving small holders in the area. If the Deputy has any grievance because a particular applicant for land was not provided for, perhaps he will put down a question later on.
Mr. Doyle
There were several such applicants.