asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a holding of over 200 acres at Cappincur, Tullamore, Offaly, owned by Mrs. Grace Davidson, who resides in Australia, has been offered for sale in English and Irish papers; that a number of interested parties from England have viewed the farm with the intention of considering purchase; if he is also aware that if a purchase takes place a number of local smallholders will be dispossessed of the lands which they have found it necessary to take for several years past in conacre, as their own holdings are too small for economic working; if he is further aware that a number of tenants who reside in houses on the estate have been asked to leave their homes because of the proposed sale to English persons; and whether, in view of the very special circumstances of this case, he will direct the Land Commission to take immediate and urgent action to acquire this farm for division so as to safeguard the vital interests of these local people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Offaly Holdings.
Because of the restricted scope of their activities outside the congested districts counties, the Land Commission cannot at present undertake inquiries in regard to the question of the acquisition of the holding of Mrs. Grace Davidson in the townland of Cappincur.
Does the Minister not consider that in a case such as this some action should be taken in view of the fact that the owner of this farm lives in Australia and that for the past 20 years a number of smallholders have had it in conacre and have now received notice to quit because an alien is acquiring the land from a local auctioneer? In order to safeguard the interests of the local people who have the land, and owing to the great congestion which exists there, will the Minister take some steps to see that an alien does not arrive to buy this farm for the purpose of depriving local people of the land?
The fact that a farm is put on the market is no reason why the Land Commission should take action. There is a much more serious consideration, and that is the question of security of tenure. Farmers in this country have been fighting always for security of tenure. If a man who owns a farm is not entitled to put it on the market, then he is not secure in his tenure. The Land Commission should not necessarily take action in a matter of this kind because the farm has been put on the market.
Surely the Minister is aware that, so far as the owner is concerned, this farm is not being properly worked? The owner lives in Australia. If any Englishman comes there we will give him the works. That is the plain way of saying it.
I hope they will not give 20,000 of our people the works in England.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the desirability of the acquisition and division of the lands of Mr. P. Donovan, Keelogue, Shrinrone, Offaly, has long been urged on the Land Commission; further, if he is aware of the protests from Shinrone smallholders, Old I.R.A. cottage tenants and deserving landless men against the attempts to dispose of the lands in question by sale, which may result in a delay in the Land Commission activities if the farm is sold to a new owner; and whether, in view of the special circumstances of the congested smallholders in the parish of Shinrone, he will direct the Land Commission to carry out the preliminary arrangements for the division of this farm.
The Land Commission have no information as to whether Mr. P. Donovan intends to dispose of his holding at Keelogue, County Offaly, and they are unable in present circumsances to undertake inquiries in regard to the question of its acquisition.