asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the Land Commission wrongly entered into a caretaker's agreement with the Gorman family of Cloonaghmore, Clonaslee, Leix, in respect of lands which were not the property of the Land Commission and as a result this family were involved in legal costs and expenses in defending ejectment proceedings brought by the owner; and, if so, whether it is proposed to find other accommodation for this family or otherwise compensate them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation for Leix Family.
The family in question did not suffer any damage or costs as a result of Land Commission action, and, consequently, the question of compensating them does not arise. The Land Commission were not involved in the proceedings referred to, which were between two parties to a private transaction.
Is the Minister aware that ejectment proceedings were taken against this family as a result of information supplied to them by the Land Commission that they were tenants of the Land Commission under a caretaker's agreement and that as a result of that information the ejectment proceedings were defended and they were involved in costs?
My information is that this holding and house were sold as the result of a purely private transaction between the owner and the purchaser. For some reason or other, although he took possession of the holding, the purchaser did not take possession of the house until last year. He took legal proceedings in the court to eject the family who were still holding possession of the house.
Is the Minister aware that the family defended these proceedings because they were informed by the Land Commission that they were in possession as caretakers to the Land Commission and not as licensees or tenants of the owner; that as a result of that information from the Land Commission they defended these proceedings and were involved in costs and expenses? Will the Minister further inquire into the matter?
I will have further inquiries made into it.