asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he can state when the appeal of P.J. Fitzmaurice, Elphin, against the acquisition by the Land Commission of the lands of Aughrim will be heard; whether he is prepared to have called as witnesses by the Land Commission three persons whose names have been already supplied to the Land Commission, and whether he will expedite the hearing of this appeal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Aughrim Lands.
The objection lodged by P.J. Fitzmaurice, Elphin, to the proposed resumption by the Land Commission of his holding at Aughrim, Co. Roscommon, will, it is expected, be heard at an early date.
In cases listed for hearing before the Land Commission in respect of the resumption of holdings, only the parties directly concerned in the proceedings are entitled to produce evidence. This, as the Deputy knows, is the usual practice in Court proceedings. If the parties the Deputy refers to are so entitled they will be heard, if not, they cannot be heard.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these witnesses will be in a position to prove that this farm is not, and never has been, a stud farm? I understand that was the ground upon which Mr. Fitzmaurice based his objections.
Of course they are entitled to submit any evidence they have in writing to the Land Commission. I do not know whether these parties are directly interested in the case or whether they will be entitled to give evidence. If they are in a position to give evidence I am sure the inspector has interviewed them and obtained statements. If not, they may furnish their evidence to the Land Commission.