asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (1) the present position regarding the Coyne estate, near Bangor-Erris; (2) what were the conditions as regards sporting rights, etc., on this estate, and (3) when the rearrangement of this estate will be carried out and building grants sanctioned by the Land Commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Mayo Lands.
The Coyne estate comprises approximately 160 tenanted holdings. A survey of the lands is a necessary preliminary to rearrangement and improvement of the holdings, and it is not at present possible to state when this work can be put in hands. Meanwhile as regards housing assistance it is open to any tenant to apply to the Department of Local Government for a grant under the Housing Acts. If that Department makes a tenant a grant for the erection of a house containing four or more rooms, the Land Commission will consider making a loan in addition, repayable by means of an annuity subject to certain conditions. The making of a building advance by the Land Commission or of a grant by the Department of Local Government before rearrangement is completed is contingent on the possibility of finding a building site on the holdings which will not conflict with subsequent rearrangement. The holdings of several tenants on the estate have already been acquired by the Land Commission by resumption and by migration, and the lands have been reallotted to other tenants on the estate.
In the case of certain holdings on the estate not requiring rearrangement building assistance has already been sanctioned by the Land Commission. As regards sporting rights on the estate the shooting rights are vested in the Land Commission and will in due course be vested in the tenants, subject to a lease which has been in existence since 1914. The question as to whether the fishing rights, if any, within the boundaries of the estate can be, or should be, vested in the Land Commission, will be considered in due course.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that Captain Browne, Dowagh, Cross, County Mayo, is in possession of a large farm; and, if so, whether he will acquire this land for redistribution amongst the congested holders of the locality.
Inquiries are in fact in hands regarding the lands mentioned by the Deputy.
Might I ask if the Minister has any power to acquire these lands? The Minister is asked if he will acquire the lands. As far as I know, the Minister has no power to acquire such lands.
The Minister has no power to acquire or allot lands.
Might I ask if the Minister's answer would not imply that he has that power?
I take it every Deputy is aware that certain functions are reserved to the Land Commission. One of these functions is the acquisition and resumption of land on the one hand and the allocation of it on the other. I take it that when a Deputy puts down a question of this sort he is not asking whether the Minister will acquire the land because the Minister does not acquire it, but the question refers to the proceedings which would ordinarily be taken for the acquisition or resumption of such land. If I failed to reply to that question, it would be taken that I refused to give the information which the Deputy had requested.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the farm of land containing approximately 56 acres, formerly the property of the late Mr. James Loftus, Hollymount, County Mayo, is now derelict and untenanted; and, if so, whether he will proceed to have it acquired for redistribution amongst the local people.
There are no proceedings to acquire the lands of Hollymount demesne, formerly the property of the late James Loftus, deceased. The Deputy's representations in the matter have been noted.