asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that it is alleged that the tenancy claimed by Mr. William J. Farren, on the Lewis estate (Galway, S. 1990) is not a genuine tenancy within the meaning of the Land Act, 1923, and if he will have inquiries instituted in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lewis Estate (Galway).
The holding referred to was returned by the owner as tenanted land in the occupation of W.J. Farren as a yearly tenant and was vested in the Land Commission as such. As stated in reply to the Deputy's question for 8th May last the holding has been retained by the Land Commission and notice has been served on the tenant of the intention of the Land Commission to apply for an order authorising them to resume the holding. The tenant has objected to the making of the application and his objection was heard yesterday by the Commissioners in court, when they reserved their decision.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the various items that made up the purchase price—£8,650 —paid by the Land Commission for untenanted land on the Lewis estate (Galway, S. 1990), or whether such information is obtainable at the Land Commission.
The answer is in the negative. As I have already informed the Deputy, the price of £8,650 paid by the Land Commission for the untenanted land on the estate of J.A. Lewis was paid for the lands as a whole.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state why the Land Commission, in dealing with the congested estate of John A. Lewis, Esq., Co. Galway (Record No. S. 1990) have instructed their inspector to interview various tenants on adjoining estates with a view to giving them additional land on the Lewis estate, despite the assurance given on March 7th 1928, and on May 22nd, 1929, that all the Lewis lands would be given to congests on the Lewis estate.
It is essential for the Land Commission to have a full knowledge of all the congestion in the neighbourhood of untenanted land which they are about to divide, and it is the duty of an inspector, prior to preparing a scheme for the division of untenanted land for the consideration of the Commissioners, to make inquiries as to all uneconomic holdings in the neighbourhood of the lands. The Deputy was informed that the lands on the Lewis estate acquired for division would be utilised for the enlargement of the small holdings on the estate, but he was not informed that they would be used solely for the holdings on the Lewis estate to the exclusion of other congested holdings adjoining which may be in need of enlargement.