asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a state of acute congestion exists on the De Clifford Estate, in the townlands of Derrowel, Acres, Coolaghbawn, Facefield and Ballyduff; that some 17 acres of land, formerly the property of Mr. Eugene O'Donnell, are in the hands of the Land Commission for upwards of 12 years, and that no effort has been made to divide them; that the Land Commission have been for a long time past in a legal dispute with Michael Begley, of Facefield, concerning 40 acres of land; and, if so, whether it is intended to do anything further in the matter, as 16 tenants and their families are living in the locality on uneconomic holdings with valuations ranging from £2 10s. to £8 5s.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Congestion.
The Deputy appears to refer to the resumed holding of Eugene O'Donnell containing 26 statute acres, in the townland of Facefield, on the De Clifford Estate, Co. Mayo. This holding has been kept in hands by the Land Commission pending the possible acquisition of the holding of Michael Begley, containing 56 statute acres, in the same townland, with a view to preparing a comprehensive scheme of division for the relief of local congestion. The negotiations with Michael Begley have been protracted by questions of title, and of the provision of an alternative holding, but the Land Commission are endeavouring to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.
But the Minister is prepared to admit, evidently, that it takes the Land Commission 17 years before they can come to any conclusion about the division of any lands in their possession. Is that the situation that we are to understand the Government is responsible for?
It does not mean any such thing.
The Minister told me that it took 17 years to acquire Mr. Begley's estate.