asked the Minister for Lands if negotiations for the purchase of the estate of Mr. Charles French, Record Nos. U.2067 and S.5490 (lands of Clonfert demesne, County Galway), have concluded; if a scheme for division is being prepared and when it is likely to be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Galway Lands.
The proceedings in this case have not yet concluded.
asked the Minister for Lands if proceedings for the acquisition of the estate of Mr. R.J. Howard, Record No. S.8981 (lands of Eyrecourt demesne), have been completed; if a scheme for division is being prepared, and when it is likely to be put into operation.
Proceedings for the acquisition of the lands in question are not yet completed and the Land Commission are not at present in a position to state whether or when these lands will be acquired.
In view of the fact that proceedings have not yet been completed, is it not strange that Land Commission inspectors are investigating the claims of people for land on this estate and preparing a scheme?
Land Commission inspectors are not dividing the estate before the proceedings are finished, as the Deputy would seem to imply. In case the farm will come into the hands of the Land Commission, they are making inquiries among local persons, which is the usual thing. I may remind the Deputy that Land Commission policy in that regard has changed somewhat. It is the Land Commission policy now to divide the land immediately it comes into our hands, not to hold it for 15 or 20 years, as happened not so long since.
They did not divide much land last year.
asked the Minister for Lands if proceedings for the acquisition of the estate of Mrs. Jane Kenny, Record No. U.11370 (lands of CorballyHogan, County Galway) have been completed; if a scheme for division has been prepared, and when it is likely to be put into operation.
The Land Commission have not completed the acquisition proceedings in this case and they are not at present in a position to state whether these lands will be acquired.
Arising out of the Minister's reply and in view of the statement he made in regard to a previous question, I would like to ask him is he not aware that exchange holdings have been pointed out to allottees on that estate?
I am not aware of any such thing.
And I presume they have signed the preliminary agreement, if the proceedings have not been completed.
I am not aware of any such thing.
Well, I am.