asked the Minister for Lands if he will forthwith distribute the lands now acquired by the Land Commission on the Algy estate at Togher, Hollymount, County Mayo, amongst the local congested tenants so as to enable them to put in a crop this season; and in particular, whether he is prepared to have the turbary on this estate made available to applicants immediately, as there is an acute shortage of turf in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Distribution of Lands.
Proceedings are in progress for the acquisition of part of the lands of Togher, formerly held by A. J. Algy, and now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hyland. The Land Commission are not at present in a position to indicate when the lands or the area of bog included therein will be allotted.
Will the Minister state whether it is a fact that the Land Court have already given their decision intimating that they are acquiring something over 160 acres of this estate?
That is a separate question.
With all respect to the Chair, I suggest that it is not. It is arising out of the Minister's reply.
The Deputy should read the question. He asked when the lands now acquired by the Land Commission will be distributed. Then he asked a supplementary question as to whether the land is being acquired.
The Minister did not state in his reply whether the lands had been acquired or not. I am asking the Minister whether it is a fact that the Land Court, before which proceedings were pending for the acquisition of these lands, has given its decision and whether the Land Commission have, in fact, acquired something over 160 acres. I want to know whether that is so and, if it is so, why no scheme has been prepared.
When the land is acquired, or if it is acquired, I can assure the Deputy that there will be no delay.
Will the Minister state for the information of the House who first made representations to have these lands acquired and divided?
The Land Commission knows nothing about it.