asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the position regarding the acquisition of lands in Donegal for division under the provisions of the relevant Land Act; (b) the lands in process of being acquired, and (c) the area of such lands and where situated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Lands in Donegal.
Mr. Blaney
It is not clear what information the Deputy seeks in part (a) of the question. The position in Donegal is no different from that in other parts of the country. There are now no restrictions affecting the use of the Land Commission's powers under the Land Act to acquire lands required for the relief of congestion, and inquiries are at present proceeding in County Donegal, as elsewhere, with a view to the acquisition of such suitable lands as can be acquired for the Land Commission's statutory purposes.
As regards parts (b) and (c) of the question, it is not desirable that the Land Commission should have to furnish particulars of estates and holdings the subject of acquisition or resumption proceedings; and it is contrary to their practice to do so. The total area in County Donegal at present the subject of such proceedings is approximately 13,000 acres.
Mr. Blaney
Is the Minister in a position to name the estates in question and where situated?
No, I will not do that. That has resulted in premature striping of such estates by certain Deputies and we have found it most undesirable to do so.