asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the farm of Grange (Bowen and White Estate), Co. Roscommon; whether he is aware that there are a number of uneconomic holders adjoining this farm who are anxious to secure additions to their holdings; whether he is further aware that the owner, Mr. Dominick Owens, Strokestown, is anxious to sell his interest to the Land Commission; and whether, in view of these facts, he will have the farm acquired and sub-divided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Lands.
The Land Commission have received a number of applications from adjoining uneconomic tenant purchasers for portions of the lands of Grange, containing 191a. 1r. 38p., held by Mr. Dominick Owens as a tenant on the estate of Bowen and White, should they be acquired for division. They are informed that the tenant is willing to sell his interest in the holding provided he receives a reasonable offer and the question of resuming the holding is under consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire and sub-divide the lands of Cloonshanville and Carrowhane (Blake Farm), presently in the occupation of Lord de Freyne, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon.
The lands referred to by the Deputy as in the occupation of Lord de Freyne cannot be identified in the Land Commission.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he can state if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the lands of Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon, on the De Freyne Estate.
It is not the present intention of the Land Commission to acquire the lands of Frenchpark Demesne from Lord de Freyne.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary suggest on what ground?
Demesne lands are excluded, as the Deputy knows, under the Act of 1923. An offer was made for this demesne land to the owner, but he refused to accept it. In any event, it would be too expensive a proposition for the Land Commission.
There is more land there than the demesne land.
No, they are all demesne lands.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the Land Commission intend to acquire the lands of Killacloghan (Brown Estate), Co. Roscommon; whether he is aware that there is a large amount of turbary on these lands, and whether he is further aware that many of the adjoining tenants have no turbary, and whether, in view of this fact, he will expedite the acquisition and sub-division of these lands.
As the Deputy has already been informed, the question of the retention and resumption by the Land Commission of the lands of Killacloghan, including any turbary thereon, held by Mr. Arthur Jones as a tenant, on the Brown Estate, County Roscommon, will be considered when the Land Commission are dealing with the estate in its turn under the Land Act, 1923.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state when it is proposed to acquire the Mapother Estate, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon, for distribution amongst congested tenants of the district.
It is not at present possible to say when the Land Commission will be in a position to acquire the lands referred to.
Would not the Parliamentary Secretary consider speeding up this matter, because in that particular district the Land Commission has already been beaten in court in connection with another estate, and the judge said there was no evidence of congestion brought before him at all. I know it is one of the most congested areas in the county and, seeing that the Land Commission failed in that other case, I suggest that they should speed up this matter and inquire into it at once.
It is rather a difficult case, because the greater portion of the land is demesne land——
Mr. Boland
But there is great congestion in the district.
The greater portion of it is demesne land, and is excluded by the Act of 1923. However, an inspector has been asked to furnish a report.