asked the Minister for Lands if he will make a statement in connection with the proposed acquisition and division of the Trench estate, Glenmalyne, Ballybrittas, Laoighis; if the lands have been recently inspected, and when it is proposed to prepare a scheme for the division of the estate in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trench Estate, Laoighis.
There is no change in the position since the Deputy's question on 17th April last.
Is it not a fact with regard to the division of the land on the Trench estate that the Minister received a deputation comprised of Deputies for the constituency about two months ago and that he stated he would be in a position within a month or six weeks to give additional information on the matter? Two months or thereabouts have passed and we have not received any communication from the Minister. Has the estate been inspected since by an officer of the Minister's Department?
As to the deputation to which Deputy Flanagan refers, the Deputy always seems to misunderstand or misinterpret my statements on meeting such a deputation. I am particularly concerned at the present moment with the congested districts counties where a condition exists that we must try to ameliorate. I am not concerned too much with areas outside these districts. I did say, however, to the deputation that if the conditions portrayed by the deputation exist there I would hope inside half a year—not a month—to be able to do something helpful in that particular area in regard to the Trench estate. I have made personal inquiries. I have examined the files in connection with the area and I notice that three estates right beside the Trench estate have been acquired, and, so far as I can find, there are no uneconomic holders in the district. I am merely concerned with helping uneconomic holders.