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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyholohan Lands (Tipperary).

asked the Minister for Lands whether, with a view to an amicable arrangement, he will cause a reinvestigation to be held in connection with the division of the lands of Ballyholohan, Emly, County Tipperary.

I would refer the Deputy to the very explicit reply given to his question of 24th March, 1942, relative to the division of the lands of Ballyholohan. In that reply the Minister stated: "It is my intention to see that decisions of the Land Commission, which is the duly appointed and responsible authority in the matter of land division, and the requirements of law and order, are enforced." Nothing has transpired since to induce the Minister to depart from that intention.

Since the reply to which the Parliamentary Secretary refers was given, did officials of the Land Commission meet representatives of those people in a very noted priest's house in Tipperary and reach a compromise, and did they then go to some of the people interested in the Ballyholohan estate, shake hands with them as if everything was settled, and did they use that pretence of friendship and compromise to get other people to sign in order to take those lands? I will give the Parliamentary Secretary the names of the inspectors —very big ones in the Department—if he wishes.

I am not aware that there was any secret meeting between any individuals in connection with this estate. The only thing I am aware of is that in response to a question submitted in the Dáil by the Deputy, and by other Deputies, it was stated that there was an adjacent holding the O'Connor holding, which, as the Minister explained to the House, was to be divided, and that the applications of local applicants would be considered when this second holding would be divided.

Since that explanation was given to the House, did officials of the Land Commission visit Tipperary, meet the representatives of those people there, and come to a compromise, and did they make use of the fact that that meeting had taken place as an excuse to get people to sign their names to take these lands— people whom they would not ordinarily have got to sign because of the trouble that was going on? Did the Land Commission officials meet representatives of those people in Tipperary town and arrive at a compromise?

I am not aware that the Land Commission inspectors did anything more than what they usually do in the course of their activities through the country, in connection with the division of lands. I am not aware of any compulsion, or undue influence being used or of any intimidation being brought to bear on any individuals in connection with this matter.

I am afraid that there was intimidation and I am prepared to give the names of the inspectors, if the Chair will permit me.

Officials should not be named in debate. The Deputy might discuss the matter with the Parliamentary Secretary if he so desires.

Then I will give the names to the Parliamentary Secretary.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary state how many, if any, allottees have been settled on this holding up to the present?

That is a separate question.

Are there any allottees settled on this holding?

On the Ballyholohan estate?

That is a separate question.

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