asked the Minister for Lands if he will give an outline of his Department's policy in relation to land division in County Mayo; if he will state whether it is the intention of his Department to acquire further large estates in that county for the relief of congested tenants; and if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Division in Mayo.
Operations have been proceeding for the acquisition of land for the relief of congestion in Mayo and the other scheduled congested districts and all suitable land which is not properly worked and does not give good employment, in those counties, will be considered for acquisition as expeditiously as possible.
Will the Minister say what is meant by "which is not properly worked".
I have given a definition of that phrase rather often in the Dáil.
Could the Minister say when he last gave it?
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a number of estates in congested districts in County Mayo have been sold to private individuals; and whether, as these sales tend to perpetuate congestion, he proposes to take steps to ensure that all lands becoming available for disposal in the congested areas of County Mayo will be acquired by the Land Commission for allocation among congested tenants.
I am aware that land is being sold by owners in County Mayo and elsewhere, now as formerly, but I am not aware that an abnormally large number of sales has taken place.
The Land Commission are fully alive to the need for obtaining land for the relief of congestion in Mayo and the other scheduled congested counties and no opportunity of acquiring suitable land will be missed. It would not, however, be proper, advantageous, or practicable, nor would it be possible without legislation, to interfere with the sale of land on the lines advocated by the Deputy. The Land Commission's powers of compulsory acquisition are not affected by private sales.