asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the farm of Mr. Thomas Varley, situate at Ballinalecka, Loughaphuil, Castlebar, has been sublet for a number of years past, and has recently been sold by private treaty to Mr. Irwin; that there are a number of uneconomic holders in Ballinalecka and that the division of this farm would solve the local congestion problem; and, if so, whether he will forthwith take steps to acquire this farm for the relief of congestion in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Mayo Holding.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of the lands of Thomas Varley at Ballinalecka, Drumneen Beg and Coguala.
I have seen a newspaper report to the effect that the farm of Thomas Varley, situated at Ballinalecka, has been sold. According to my information, the purchaser, Michael Joseph Irwin, is one of the younger members of a family of 12. His parents reside on a small uneconomic holding. Consequently he, together with most of his brothers and sisters, had to emigrate to Great Britain. Michael Joseph Irwin emigrated to England about 12 years ago. He worked in coal mining, in agriculture, and latterly had risen to be superintendent in open cast coal mining in Wales. He returned to this country about six months ago, where he resided with his parents until he purchased this holding.
The two lowest poor law valuations within a radius of one mile of this holding are £9 each.
The policy of the present Government is to welcome back all those who have had to emigrate through no fault of their own and to facilitate them as far as possible in settling down here. The Deputy's question appears to suggest that if it is not criminal it is at least wrong for any of our emigrants to return and settle down here, a view with which I completely disagree, and consequently I have not the slightest intention of acceding to the request contained in the latter part of the Deputy's question, because such a policy would mean permanently exiling many of our emigrants.
I have not seen any suggestion in my question that emigrants should be prevented from purchasing land here. Do I take it from the Minister's statement that it is now the policy of the Land Commission to allow anybody to purchase holdings in congested areas that are required for the relief of congestion in those areas?
I think my reply has made the position perfectly clear. The young man in question was, through no fault of himself or his parents, compelled to emigrate. He endured the rigours of the war, put a few pounds together and came home to get his holding. I will welcome him home and will stand behind his purchase of the small holding he has bought.
Where lands are required for acquisition for the purpose of relieving congestion in congested areas, does this mean that anybody can go in and buy these lands, irrespective of the demands of the uneconomic tenants of the area?
Let the exiles stay where they are!
The Deputy must be well aware—as the locality is right beside where both of us live—that there is no congestion except in the case of the two £9 holdings there. The Deputy can take it that the Land Commission will bear the case of these two holdings in mind but they do not propose exiling one of our young men who has come home to buy a holding for the purpose of bringing a £9 holding up to a £10 holding.