asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the money paid annually for turf banks on the Clancarty Estate (in Poolboy and Kellysgrove area) is still paid to the trustees of the Clancarty Estate by tenants of that estate whose lands were purchased in 1912 (under the Act of 1903), and will the Minister state when it is proposed to purchase those boglands under the 1926 Act, and when the Land Commission will render passable the roads leading to those turf banks; and whether the Minister is aware that a large quantity of the turf cut last year is still stacked in the bog owing to the roads being impassable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clancarty Estate.
The Land Commission are aware of the circumstances of the bogs at Poolboy and Kellysgrove. The bog on the townland of Poolboy is the property of the Earl of Clancarty, and is practically cut out, and the former tenants of the Clancarty Estate are now cutting on the bog on the townland of Kellysgrove, the property of Lady Trench, whose agent sets the banks and collects the rents. The position regarding the Kellysgrove bog is at present under consideration and in connection therewith the condition of the roads leading to the turf banks will be considered.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state when this bog or turbary land will be purchased? Can it not be purchased under the 1923 Act and given to the tenant?
It can be purchased under the 1923 Act, but I cannot say at the moment when it will be purchased.
I would like to impress on the Parliamentary Secretary the urgency of getting those roads into repair as one of them is a refuse dump for most of the town of Ballinasloe and is a possible danger to public health and a proved danger for man or beast.
Is there anything to prevent these people making roads for themselves or would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the desirability of establishing a Bohreen Board for the West?
I might remind the Parliamentary Secretary that in 1913 a definite promise was made to those tenants that the road to the bog land would be made passable.