(An Clár) asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state when it is proposed (a) to divide the Mahon Estate at Corbally, Clooney, County Clare; (b) if it is proposed to divide all the estate; and (c) if all the applicants for divisions of land on the estate will be interviewed before a distribution scheme is sanctioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Clare Estate.
A scheme for the division of some 400 acres of the lands of Corbally and Ballyhickey is in course of preparation, but until this scheme has been completed and approved, it is not possible to state when these lands will be divided.
All applications for allotments will be fully considered and the applicants will be interviewed unless the circumstances of any of them renders this unnecessary.
The Land Commission gazetted an additional area of 155 acres of the lands of Corbally, but after hearing an objection by the owner and after further inquiry they decided to exclude those 155 acres from the proceedings.
Are we to take it that this matter has been under consideration for two years at least and no decision has been taken? I have repeatedly asked whether all the estates will be taken over by the Land Commission, or whether people who happen to have a couple of thousand pounds who bought this land and did uneconomic holders out of them will be interfered with and whether the taking over of the estate will be considered by the Land Commission.
It will, less 155 acres.
Mr. Hogan
Less 155 acres, why?
That area has been excluded by the Land Commission.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are some people in occupation of these lands who are up to 70 years of age and are not likely to make use of any of the farms they hold?
I am not aware of their ages.
Mr. Hogan
It is a very easy thing to discover.