asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the cause of the delay in acquiring and dividing the lands on the O'Brien estate at Ballydavis, Portlaoighise, County Laoighis; whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists in the district amongst the very large number of small holders and landless men living in the immediate vicinity of the lands referred to, and whether he can now state whether the lands referred to will be acquired and divided this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Laoighis Estate.
The estate in question comprises two holdings in the townland of Ballydavis in the occupation of the representatives of James O'Brien on the Kemmie estate, Record No. S.3780. Previous proceedings for the resumption of these holdings were held up owing to difficulties of the law then existing, but under Section 59, Land Act, 1939, notices of intention to apply to the Appeal Tribunal for leave to resume one of these holdings containing 5 acres and a portion of the other containing 100 acres 1 rood 21 perches have been served by the Land Commission on the parties interested in the lands. The Land Commission expect to be in a position, at an early date, to make application to the Appeal Tribunal to authorise resumption of these lands, but it is not possible at present to state when they will be resumed and divided.
Can the Minister say if the scheme for the division of these lands was sanctioned some time ago?
It has been prepared.
And sanctioned?
I could not say. I would like to have notice of that.