asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the farm of 170 acres of James Mulcahy, Gurteen, Clonmult, Midleton, County Cork (R.O. No. 79/1997), Smith estate, has been completely denuded of stock for non-payment of land annuities; that this farm has been offered to the Irish Land Commission for division, and what action that body proposes to take in dealing with the offer; if he is further aware that this man, being unable to let the farm for grazing, consequent on the seizure of stock, had to be provided with home assistance to provide a large young family with the means of subsistence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Farm.
The holding in question (on which there are very heavy arrears in respect of which the under-sheriff for County Cork has a nulla bona decree), has been offered on behalf of the owner to the Forestry Division to purchase for afforestation purposes. In response to this offer, the prescribed form of application was issued to the owner's solicitor and an inspection of the lands will be made when the form is completed and lodged with the Forestry Division.
In view of the fact that repeated visits of the flying squad are preventing people from taking the grazing of these lands, will the Minister now order this form of persecution to stop? This man cannot let the lands while the flying squads are visiting them.
Mr. Boland
I should like to remind the Deputy that the prescribed form in this case was issued to the solicitor on the 30th September, 1936, and has not been returned yet. If the Deputy would use his influence to expedite the return of that form, it would perhaps serve this purpose better.
Will the visits of the flying squad be stopped?
Will the Minister differentiate between the conduct of his Department in reducing this man to destitution and eventually evicting him for non-payment of rent and the conduct of Lord Clanricarde in his most oppressive days as landlord.
Mr. Boland
There is no comparison between what Lord Clanricarde did and what the Land Commission have done in respect of this individual. Arrears amounting to £81 4s. 8d. were funded in his case. He got every possible consideration. If he had made any effort whatever, he would have been met He got the form 15 months ago and he has not returned it. In view of that, it is not correct to contrast the action of the Land Commission with that of Lord Clanricarde. That is a mean, low attempt on the Deputy's part to represent the Land Commission as worse than the landlords in the old days. He knows that the comparison is not true and never was true, particularly with regard to the Collection Department.
Every head of stock on this land was seized, and the flying squad continually visit it and prevent the lands being let for grazing, which would enable the man to pay something.
Mr. Boland
The form sent out in September, 1936, has not yet been returned.
Is there any justification for the continued visits of the flying squad?
Mr. Boland
There is.
It should not be allowed to go on.
Was there not a noannuity campaign in Cork?
I have repeatedly contradicted statements to that effect.
You got six months for it.
The Minister's spies know the part I took.
You got six months.
We put the Deputy in his place.
Many a good man got six months.