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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Leix Estates.

asked the Minister for Lands to state if and when the Edge estate, Ballylinan, County Leix, was acquired by the Irish Land Commission; the total acreage of land attached to same; the acreage of arable land until tillage for 1942; whether a division scheme has yet been prepared and sanctioned by the commissioners, and if same will be divided before the end of May, 1943.

The Deputy's question would appear to refer to the estate of R.E. McKenna (formerly the property of Miss Edge) comprising 83a. 2r. 8p. of the lands of Milltown. This estate has not yet been acquired by the Land Commission, but the price has been fixed and a scheme of division is in course of preparation. The tillage of lands which have not yet come into their possession is not a matter for the Land Commission. It is not possible at present to state when the lands will be acquired and divided.

asked the Minister for Lands to state the present position of the commissioners concerning the proposal for the acquisition and division of the Kenny estate, Rosdarragh, Rathdowney, County Leix; whether a division scheme has been prepared and sanctioned, and whether the lands referred to will be divided before the end of May, 1943.

The Land Commission have acquired the lands of Rossdarragh and Cappalinan on the estate of Henry D. Kenny but until a scheme for their division has been completed and settled it will not be possible to state when the lands will be divided.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that, pending the division of the land, local applicants will get a reasonable opportunity to take the land in conacre and that it will not be let behind their backs?

I might point out that, since possession of the lands has been obtained, they have been let for grazing in conacre.

To an outsider.

Mostly for grazing.

To an outsider. I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary if a reasonable opportunity by way of public auction will be given to small local occupiers to take that land from year to year and that it will not be set privately to any wealthy outsider?

We shall have that matter considered.

If the Government are anxious to encourage as much tillage as possible of all arable land why do they not let this land to people who will till it and not to graziers who are in possession of it at present?

The Land Commission is not responsible for the enforcement of the tillage regulations.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this land has been set by the Land Commission for the past two years?

I am so aware.

We are merely asking that it be let to local people provided they pay a competitive price.

That matter will be inquired into.

If the land is set to graziers, why do the Land Commission not insist on a tillage clause being inserted in the letting agreement and compel these people to carry out the statutory amount of tillage?

The enforcement of the tillage regulations is not a matter for this Department; it is a matter for the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Minister for Lands to state the present position of the commissioners in connection with the proposal for the acquisition and division of the Alley estate, Knockaroo, Borris-in-Ossory, County Leix; whether a division scheme has yet been prepared and sanctioned by the commissioners in this case, and, whether the lands referred to will be divided before the end of May, 1943.

The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the Alley estate, comprising 175 acres of the lands of Kilcotton and Knockaroo, and have disallowed the owner's objection to acquisition. The question of price remains to be settled, and further proceedings are suspended owing to emergency conditions. Preparation for a division scheme has not yet been undertaken, and it is not possible to state when the lands will be acquired and divided.

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