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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Apr 1943

Vol. 89 No. 15

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Turf Workers' Camp.

asked the Minister for Supplies (a) whether he is aware that part of the lands of Cooleragh West, in the Barony of Clane and County of Kildare (registered on Folio 657, County Kildare), the property of Mr. Thomas Langan, was acquired over a year ago for the purpose of erecting a camp for turf workers, and that no offer of compensation has yet been made to Mr. Langan: (b) if he will state the exact date of such acquisition, and when he expects to be in a position to make an offer of compensation.

Possession of part of the lands of Cooleragh West, County Kildare, containing 9 acres 1 rood, the property of Mr. Thomas Langan, was taken on the 8th January, 1942, in connection with the erection of a camp for the accommodation of workers employed on the Government turf production scheme.

In connection with the payment of compensation, arrangements are being made for the opening of negotiations with Mr. Langan possibly with a view to the purchase outright of the area taken over.

When can Mr. Langan hope to get compensation?

When the negotiations are concluded.

It is over 12 months since the land was taken over and no communication has been received from the Minister's Department. Does the Minister not think it nearly time to make some offer of compensation?

Will the Minister bear in mind that there are a number of Mr. Langans all over County Kildare in precisely the same position, and will he therefore make a special effort to ensure that some reasonable offer of compensation is made to these people as soon as possible? They live in an area which is rather poor, and they have to try to eke out an existence with whatever small quantity of turbary they have. They are suffering serious loss through the acquisition of the turbary, and will the Minister ease their difficulties by having the matter dealt with expeditiously?

Does the Minister think it fair to leave Mr. Langan out of his money for that length of time?

asked the Minister for Supplies (a) whether he is aware that under the Emergency Powers Order, 1939, possession was, on the 13th March, 1943, taken of part of the lands of Cooleragh West, in the Barony of Clane and County of Kildare (registered on Folio 657, County Kildare), the property of Mr. Thomas Langan, allegedly for the purpose of making a road from the camp for turf workers at Cooleragh, and that the land so taken cuts off the remainder of the lands held by Mr. Langan from his sole source of water supply; (b) if he will state what inquiries were made, previous to possession being taken, relative to the economic position of the remainder of the holding left with Mr. Langan, and the result of such inquiries, and what efforts were made to meet the difficulties of such position; (c) if he will now review this Order, having regard to the hardship caused to Mr. Langan.

Possession of part of the lands of Cooleragh West, in the the Barony of Clane and County of Kildare the property of Mr. Thomas Langan, was taken on the 13th March, 1943, for the purpose of providing a site for a road to serve an extensive area of the Timahoe bog, in connection with the Government turf production scheme.

In all such cases consideration is given to the relevant circumstances, including the question of hardship to the owner of the lands, and in the light of the necessity to provide the maximum possible output of turf. In the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the measures necessary to ensure that the owner will not be cut off from a water supply are under examination.

Does the Minister realise that in fact the proposal means that he will be cut off from the water and that he will have no means of watering his stock, because any water on the farm will now be at the other side of the right-of-way?

The work has not begun yet, so the Deputy cannot come to that conclusion.

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