asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether, in the proposed division of the estate of Mr. Alan Baker, situated at Ballinard and Ballinglanna, parish of Cullen and Lattin, Co. Tipperary, it is intended to exclude a number of cottiers adjacent to the estate; whether three cottiers—namely, Messrs. Michael Russell, David Buckley, and William O'Connell—all living on the estate and who are now yearly tenants, were returned to the Land Commission as tenants of Mr. Baker; and whether their claims and the claim of Mr. Stephen Murphy, who holds a small furnished cottage and plot on the estate, for portions of land will be favourably considered in the distribution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Baker Estate (Co. Tipperary).
The Land Commission are not in a position to state among whom the lands on the estate of Mr. Allen Baker will be divided as the scheme for their division is still in course of preparation. The claims of all persons coming within the provisions of Section 31 of the Land Act, 1923, will be fully considered in the division of the lands. Mr. Baker has not returned Messrs. Michael Russell, David Buckley and William O'Connell as tenants to whom the provisions of the Land Act, 1923, apply.
Is the Land Commission satisfied that Mr. Baker has made a proper return by not including those tenants?
I am not.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to ascertain whether Mr. Baker should have included those as tenants?
In any event it does not interfere with their claim for additional land if the Land Commission consider they are entitled to additional land.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that there should be a correct return?
I quite agree. The Land Commission will see that the returns supplied by the owner are correct in every detail.