asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that Mr. Patrick McMahon, Carnagoul, Boston, County Clare, an Old I.R.A. man having a large family living on a holding of £10 valuation, was refused a division of the Sampson estate while others having double his valuation and farther from the estate, but without national service, were catered for; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes taking to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Clare Estate.
The application of Mr. Patrick McMahon, Carnagoul, Boston, County Clare, for an allotment on the Sampson estate was fully considered by the Land Commission in connection with the scheme for the division of the lands, but it was not found possible to provide him with a division. The statement that others having double his valuation and living farther from the estate were given land is without foundation.
May I ask the Minister if he has any hope of accommodating this very deserving applicant in the near future? He is a married man with a large family.
I think the principal reason this man did not get an addition on this estate was that he was roughly about 3¼ miles away from it. The Deputy can take it that when there is any land available within his immediate locality he will have an opportunity. His valuation is low, I think, and so far as I can see he will be practically certain to qualify. He appears to be a deserving applicant for consideration, as soon as there is land within any reasonable distance of his own farm.