asked the Minister for Lands if it is the intention of the Land Commission to proceed with the acquisition and resale to smallholders and other persons of the lands of Colonel Penrose Thackwell at Rostellan, County Cork, which were inspected with a view to division a considerable time ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Estates.
The Land Commission on the 8th June, 1935, acquired 134 acres, I rood, 35 perches of the lands of Aghada on the estate of Colonel Penrose Thackwell. These lands have been divided. The Land Commission cannot trace any other lands in the occupation of Colonel Thackwell.
I referred to the lands of Rostellan Castle. These the Land Commission decided to acquire, too. Will the Minister make further inquiries?
Yes.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when the Land Commission intend to proceed with the division of the lands of the Foley-Turpin estate at Young Grove, Midleton, County Cork, which it was the intention of the Land Commission to acquire for division over eight years ago.
The Land Commission have at present no proceedings for the acquisition of the lands of Young Grove, the property of Mrs. S. G. Foley-Turpin, but the question of their acquisition has been noted for consideration as soon as circumstances permit.
Is the Minister aware that I got the same answer in 1932? Is it the intention of the Minister to proceed with this, or will he say that he will not?
On the 29th January, 1937, the Land Commission instituted proceedings for the acquisition of these lands. The owner objected, and her objection was heard by the Land Commission on the 1st June, 1938. The proceedings for acquisition were then dismissed solely because of legal difficulties, and without prejudice to the institution, by the Land Commission, of proceedings at a later date, if so decided upon. As there are very few, if any, small holders in the vicinity of the lands, and having regard to the emergency conditions now obtaining, the Land Commission have not come to any decision regarding the institution of fresh proceedings for acquisition.
Would the Minister say whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire these lands in the near future, in view of the need for their division?
If the Deputy were present in the House during the recent debate on the Estimate for my Department he would have heard me explain that the Government have taken a decision not to undertake new proceedings for the present. Until that decision is reviewed, I cannot say whether or not the Land Commission will proceed in the near future to acquire land.
Does that decision mean that the Land Commission have decided not to acquire any more new land?
Again, the position is as I explained it to the House a few days ago. There is a considerable amount of land which has already been inspected. It is not the intention to take up these lands for acquisition, except in special cases where they are urgently needed for the relief of congestion. The Government intend to review the question in the near future, but I cannot anticipate what their decision may be. We have sufficient lands in hands to enable the Land Commission to carry out a normal programme say for two years.
Mr. Morrissey
I only want to have the position clarified, because on this question there is a good deal of misunderstanding through the country.
The Minister's predecessor in 1932 signified his intention of acquiring these lands. That decision remained in abeyance from 1932 to 1937.