asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps have been taken to acquire the Potter estate, Castleblakeney, County Galway, for the relief of local congestion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potter Estate (County Galway).
The Land Commission have under consideration the question of the acquisition of the lands of Creggaun and Ashfield on the estate of John Potter, County Galway.
Is the Minister aware that there is a rumour in the locality that these lands are about to be put up for sale? That being so, would the Minister impress upon the Land Commission the immediate necessity for expediting the matter?
The question of whether land is for sale or not does not interest the Land Commission, nor does it affect its powers to acquire land if the Land Commission needed the particular farm in question for the relief of local congestion or for migrants' holdings, as the case may be. The Land Commission does not mind who the owner may be—the lands can change hands as often as the owners like, because, if the Land Commission requires the land, it will take steps to acquire it.
Because of the fact that the owner of these lands is deceased and that his representatives are living outside this country, would the Minister, in view of the information that I have given him, assure me that he will make representations to have the matter expedited?
Give you an assurance that the matter will be expedited?
That you will impress on the Land Commission to expedite the acquisition of this holding?
Yes, I will.