When the debate was adjourned last night, I was explaining that representations had been made to the Land Commission so far back as 1932 for the acquisition of the lands of Maria Grace, County Tipperary. It was represented that these lands were non-residential, constantly let, giving no employment, deteriorating and a source of agitation and, at certain times, of outrage, in the locality. The proprietor is an old lady who lives in Dublin. She has some house property in Cashel. I need scarcely go into her personal affairs, though these were made known in the course of the proceedings in the Land Court, and I gather from Deputy Byrne's remarks that there has been correspondence in the local Press on the matter. I should be rather surprised, however, if this particular case could meet with very much sympathy in the district in which the lands are situate. For example, if Miss Grace had gone to live on the land, or in the vicinity, say, in the town of Cashel, where she has this house property, it is quite possible that it might have been made exceedingly difficult for the Land Commission to take over these lands, but the fact is that she had not been residing there for years, although she certainly gave the impression, to put it very mildly, that she was prepared to go back there and live in the course of the frequent representations which were made to the Department of Lands on her behalf.
This is really the type of case in which, if the Land Commission were not to proceed, it is difficult to see in what type of case they would be justly entitled to take proceedings for acquisition. There has been an agitation in the neighbourhood for a considerable number of years. It is a very thinly populated area in which there are very large holdings, and the agitation concentrated itself on cases like these Grace lands, which, it was urged, were not being utilised in the interest of the community. The Land Commission is bound to proceed in these cases. However, this case, far from being proceeded with with any degree of precipitancy, was really the cause of considerable delay. The notices for the institution of proceedings were made so far back as 1934. There were objections, and before the matter could be completed it was found that, owing to the flaw of which the House is aware, and which had to be righted in the 1939 Land Act, the matter could not be completed, but possession of the lands was eventually sought in May, 1937. In May, 1938, a price was fixed by the appeal tribunal in respect of the 265 acres being acquired from Miss Grace. Even after that, there was considerable agitation as to the slowness of the Department in dealing with the matter.
In July, 1940, the final list was published, fixing 19th July, 1940, was the appointed day; but as a result of representations on Miss Grace's behalf, the appointed day was subsequently postponed until 1st January, 1941, on which date the land bonds representing the purchase money were placed to credit in the matter. She refused to give possession, and we had to apply to the Judicial Commissioner for an order for possession. The position is that the reward we received for leniency and for paying attention to representations is that, at this critical stage in the country's affairs, when it is necessary to have every available acre under tillage, these lands were not being tilled. The Minister for Agriculture had the lands taken over and straightaway set no less than 100 acres for tillage.
Deputy Byrne speaks of an eviction. There is no eviction. I have explained that the compensation has been placed to credit, and so far as we are concerned everything has been carried out in a legal manner, and, I think, also with due regard to the circumstances of the owner. To speak of an eviction is simply begging the question. The case is one of the worst in the country from the point of view of the amount of agitation and the amount of harm it would do if we were not to take action of some kind or another. The fact that the Minister for Agriculture has had to take this action is sufficient proof, if proof be needed, of the seriousness of the situation.