asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the cause of the delay by the Irish Land Commission in vesting the Jordan estate, Cloonmore, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, which was acquired by the Congested Districts Board in 1915.
Written Answers. - Co. Mayo Estates.
Owing to the great pressure of urgent work in other estates the Land Commission have been unable to deal with this estate, but it will be dealt with as soon as practicable.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that the De Clifford estate, Co. Mayo, was taken over by the C.D. Board in 1911; that the lands are not yet vested; that the tenants are still paying interest in lieu of rent instead of annuities, and that as a result of the failure of the Land Commission to vest those holdings the tenants must pay 87 years purchase instead of 68½ years; and if he will state if a refund will be made to the tenants of the money paid over and above their annuities for the past 19 years.
It is assumed that the estate referred to is that of Lord de Clifford situate in the Rural District of Claremorris. The small area of the untenanted land on this estate being insufficient to relieve the local congestion the Land Commission have been obliged to defer action until they obtain possession of neighbouring lands which they are taking steps to acquire.
The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will now state the cause of the delay by the Irish Land Commission in acquiring the Ballykinava farm, on the Moore O'Farrell estate, held by Mr. Martin Curran, and if he is aware that Mr. Curran got an exchange for this farm, and is in possession and grazing both farms.
The lands of Ballykinava in this matter are the subject of proceedings under Section 24 (3), Land Act, 1923. As these lands have been purchased under the Land Purchase Acts, the owner has exercised his rights under Section 24 (b), Land Act, 1923, to be provided with a new holding equally suitable and of not less value than his holding in Co. Mayo.
The exchange with Martin Curran has not yet taken place. The Land Commission have offered him lands in exchange in Co. Meath, which he holds for the current season under a grazing letting made by the owner prior to the vesting of the lands in the Land Commission. He has not yet accepted the offer.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will now state what steps, if any, are being taken by the Irish Land Commission to acquire for the relief of acute congestion existing in the parishes of Balla, Mayo, and Kiltimagh, the large grazing farms held by Mr. John McEllin, at Brownhall and Brize, which contain over 700 acres.
The acquisition of the lands referred to is at present under consideration by the Land Commission.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that the Land Commission inspectors in Co. Mayo submitted a scheme for the division of the land known as Dillon's farm, on the Nolan Farrell estate, on April 1st, 1929, and if he will state if the Irish Land Commission have approved of the scheme; and, if not, if he will state why the scheme was not sanctioned.
The Commissioners expect to be in a position to divide the lands referred to within the next few weeks.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that acute congestion exists in the parishes of Kilcommon and Crossboyne, in South Mayo, and if he will now state what steps, if any, are being taken by the Irish Land Commission to acquire the large grazing farms, which contain over 800 acres, known as Hollymount and Lehinch demesnes, held by Messrs. McCarton Brothers, for the relief of the holders of uneconomic holdings in those parishes.
The lands of Lehinch demesne and Hollymount demesne, the property of Patrick McCarton, containing 752 acres, are the subject of proceedings under Section 24 (3), Land Act, 1923. These lands are subject to Land Purchase annuity, and the owner has objected to their acquisition, and has also exercised his rights under Section 24 (4) (b) of the Act to be provided with a new holding equally suitable and of not less value, and in the circumstances the matter can only be dealt with by way of exchange.
The Land Commission are not at present in a position to state when lands will be available which can be offered to owner in lieu of his lands in County Mayo.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is aware that acute congestion exists in the electoral divisions of Ballindine, Caraun, Claremorris, Crossboyne, and Kilvine, and if he will state what steps, if any, are being taken by the Irish Land Commission to acquire the grazing lands on the Castlemacgarrett demesne for the purpose of relieving the existing congestion.
The Land Commission have not instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the demesne lands referred to which are subject to a Land Purchase annuity.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the cause of delay by the Irish Land Commission in dividing the lands known as Poolavaddy farm, on the Lynch Blosse estate (O'Connor lease), containing over 400 acres, which was acquired by the Land Commission over two years ago, and is still let in grazing.
The lands of Poolavaddy were held under lease which expired on 31st December, 1927.
The Land Commission have taken the necessary legal steps to acquire possession from the two occupiers of the greater portion of these lands, and it is hoped that possession will be obtained on 1st November next.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the cause of the delay of the Irish Land Commission in dividing the lands on the Knox estate. Knocknakillew, Ballinrobe, which was acquired over five years ago.
The Land Commission acquired the lands of Creagh demesne, Knocknakillew, etc., on the Knox estate in May, 1927, and resold 550 acres thereof, including Creagh House, to Colonel Knox. The balance of the estate was at the same time allotted to adjoining uneconomic holders.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will now state the cause of delay by the Irish Land Commission in acquiring the large grazing farms held by Mr. James Cowan, Knockroe and Knockadorroghy, in the parish of Mayo, which contain about 800 acres, for the purpose of relieving congestion in the parishes of Mayo and Crossboyne.
The Land Commission are in negotiations with Mr. Cowan with a view to agreement as to terms of acquisition of the lands of Knockroe and Knockadorroghy, which are subject to a Land Purchase annuity. The Land Commission are, however, not at present in a position to state when lands will be available which can be offered to Mr. Cowan in lieu of his lands in Co. Mayo.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will now state the cause of the delay by the Irish Land Commission in taking over the large grazing ranch held by Mr. Matthew Fahey, Greenhills, Islandeady, Co. Mayo, for the relief of the acute congestion which exists in the parish of Islandeady.
The Land Commission are aware of the conditions which exist in this parish.
The lands held by Matthew Fahey in the townlands of Claggarnagh West and East, to which the Deputy refers, have been inspected, and the owner seeks an equivalent holding which he is entitled to under the Land Act, 1923, as the lands are subject to a Land Purchase annuity, and the provision of an alternative holding will be considered when the Commissioners have available a holding equally suitable for him.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that the lands of Mr. George Acton, Bridgemount, Belcarra, which were acquired over a year ago by the Irish Land Commission for the relief of congestion, are still let in grazing; and if he will state the cause of delay in dividing those lands among the holders of uneconomic holdings in the parish of Balla.
The Commissioners have not yet completed their arrangements for the division of these lands, and pending this the lands have been set in a grazing agreement for the season.