asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the area of untenanted land within two or three miles radius from the village of Shinrone, County Offaly; the acreage therof already inspected by the commissioners; the acreage proposed to be acquired; the acreage acquired for division; particulars of the estates acquired, and when division schemes for same are likely to be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Offaly Lands.
It is not practicable for the Land Commission to state the area of untenanted land in the Shinrone district. They have no such census of untenanted land. Nor is it practicable to state the area in that district inspected by the Land Commission since 1923. In recent years the Land Commission have had reports on about 1,200 acres in the Shinrone district, but it is not possible to state at present whether or when any of these lands will be acquired. No lands in the Shinrone district are at present acquired and pending for division.
Has the Minister made any recent inquiries as to whether the owners of such a large acreage of untenanted land are complying with the Compulsory Tillage Order?
That is not a function of the Minister for Lands; it is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture.
It would be no harm if the Minister had a talk with the Minister for Agriculture on that.