asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he can state if the Land Commission have acquired, or intend to acquire, the lands belonging to Richard Clarke, on the McGann estate, in the townland of Tourlestrane, parish of Kilmactigue, Co. Sligo, for the purpose of sub-division.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - McGann Estate (Co. Sligo).
There are no proceedings pending in the Land Commission regarding the acquisition of the lands of Tourlestrane referred to, and the Land Commission do not at present propose to take any action in the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in these districts there is a considerable amount of congestion amongst the small landholders, and would he not consider it advisable that the Land Commission should acquire these farms for the purpose of relieving congestion?
I am aware of course that a certain degree of congestion exists in that particular area, but these lands are subject to a land purchase annuity, and it is more than likely if we took steps to acquire them the owner would demand an equivalent holding elsewhere, and we have no land available at the moment for him.