asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state if the Land Commission have yet acquired the lands known as Burns Farm. Tycooley (Clonbrock Estate), Co. Galway; and, if not, will he state what progress has been made towards the acquisition of same.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Co. Galway Lands.
The Land Commission have been in negotiation with Mr. Burns for the purchase of his farm at Tycooley, but so far without success. The matter is still under consideration in connection with other lands of the owner which are pending under the Land Act, 1923.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that on the twelve hundred acres of non-resident ranches in the parish of Lattin, Co. Tipperary, only a few men are employed; that although a strong agitation, supported by every representative man in the county, has gone on since 1923 for the division of these ranches, they have not yet been divided; that in this district, owing to this ranching system unemployment and emigration are rife, and that there are, through want of space—as in Lattin village —large numbers of people living in insanitary conditions; and whether in view of these facts he will state if and when it is intended to acquire, compulsorily or otherwise, these lands for distribution amongst the many congests, representatives of evicted tenants, landless men and uneconomic holders in the area.
The position as regards untenanted land in the vicinity of Lattin has been explained to the Deputy in reply to his questions of 7th May, 1930, and other dates, and on other occasions in reply to other Deputies. The Land Commission are fully aware of the facts and are doing everything possible to deal expeditiously with the acquisition and distribution of a considerable area there.
Is the Minister aware that the Land Commission are doing their best for seven years, and could the Minister give any indication when we shall have any results from the activities of the Land Commission with regard to these lands?
I could not say.