asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission undertook to erect pumps on the Railpark estate at Maynooth for tenants who were allotted holdings of land on the estate; whether he is aware of the fact that the work was commenced over 18 months ago, but not proceeded with; and whether he will indicate when it is proposed to erect the pumps for tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply on Kildare Estate.
Investigation is being made by the Land Commission into this matter and as soon as the present position and prospects have been ascertained the Deputy will be informed.
Would the Minister say why the Land Commission commenced operations in connection with the sinking of a pump two years ago and then abandoned those operations? Does he appreciate the fact that some of the people who got holdings of land on this estate are suffering very serious hardship by reason of the fact that they have to take cattle two miles to water? Would the Minister endeavour to have the matter dealt with expeditiously in view of those circumstances?
An inspector has been asked to report on the matter, and I am awaiting his report. I must inform the Deputy that the Land Commission inspectorate staff is very short at the moment. Considerable numbers of inspectors have been transferred to the compulsory tillage section of the Department of Agriculture and to the turf production scheme, so I cannot promise that matters will get the same attention as they would normally get. At the same time, I am very anxious to attend to matters of this kind, and I will look into it specially.