asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the scheme for the purchase and division of Caher Bog, on the estate of Major R.H. Stubber, County Leix (Record No. S/5383) has been sanctioned by the Commissioners; and what amount, if any, has been sanctioned for the carrying out of the necessary improvement work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leix Lands.
The offer made by the Land Commission for the Caher Bog, together with other lands the property of Major Stubber, not having been accepted by the owner, no scheme for division has been made. The question of further action in the matter is still under consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he has made further inquiries regarding the number of uneconomic holders and landless men residing within two miles of the lands of Mr. Peter G. Alley, Knockaroo, Borris-in-Ossory, County Leix; also, the number of men presently employed by the owner on these lands; and whether he is now prepared to acquire the lands for the relief of congestion, or state the reasons why he declines to do so.
The Land Commission have had further inquiry made regarding the matters referred to by the Deputy, and, having fully considered the circumstances of the lands, have allowed the objection of the owner to their acquisition.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state the acreage of the land—other than the acreage of the land involved in this question—at present occupied by Mr. Alley, and will the Parliamentary Secretary also state the total number of men employed on the lands of Knockaroo during the past two years?
The area is about 170 acres, some of it very bad land. I could not tell the Deputy the number of men employed at Knockaroo, but Mr. Alley does employ a number of men at Dunomore on the other farm.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state the number of acres already occupied by Mr. Alley?
I could not.
Is not that a matter that should concern him in the acquisition of these lands?
I explained the position fully the other day to Deputy Davin, and said that the Land Commission had satisfied themselves that this is not a suitable farm for acquisition. There are other lands in the area much more suitable and much more convenient to the landless and to the uneconomic holders who are looking for land in the area.
I only want the facts properly understood by the Commissioners and the people concerned.