asked the Minister for Lands if he will state with reference to his question of the 23rd February, 1949, what progress has since been made regarding the resumption and subdivision of certain lands at Cloonkeen, Deering estate, Dunmore, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition and Division of Land.
Since the 23rd February 1949, the Land Commission took possession of five holdings in this area. Even these are not sufficient to enable a decent scheme to be prepared and the rearrangement of the remaining holdings must await the resumption of more land.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have prepared a scheme for the subdivision of the lands of Mr. P. Flannery, Corralea, Record No. S.3260, Quintin Dick estate, County Galway; and, if so, why, in view of the fact that they are not as yet in possession of those lands, and if he will further state the cause of the delay in taking possession.
There is no approved scheme for the allotment of these lands. I am satisfied there is no undue delay in getting possession.
Will the Minister say whether or not a Land Commission inspector was on these lands three or four months ago preparing a scheme?
There is no approved scheme for the allotment of these lands. A Land Commission inspector may have been on these lands for several purposes perhaps taking notes preparatory to preparing a scheme.
Is the Minister not aware that tenants in the locality have actually been shown parcels of the land that they were to get, and that now the position is that this man is allowed to set the land again because he happens to be a friend of a certain Parliamentary Secretary in this House?
Is this the land that was supposed to be allotted ten years ago?
Sixteen years ago.
I may say that I am not personally too familiar with this area. The only allotment that I did hear of prior to the 1944 election was that where the Deputy was supposed to have gone on the ground before the election and made an allotment himself.
The House can take it from me that that is as barefaced a lie as ever the Minister told in his life, and I use the word "lie" deliberately.
The Deputy will withdraw it.
The Minister has made a deliberate accusation against me. There is no truth whatever in it.
I asked you if these were the lands that you were supposed to have allotted before the 1944 election.
I never adopt that low mean type of tactics. I asked the Minister a question regarding certain lands, and whether people were shown the holdings they were to get. The lands have been let for a number of years in conacre lettings.
The Deputy is making a speech. He should ask a supplementary question.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware of these things. I want to make it more clear now, in view of the fact that he tried to mix it up himself. I am asking him now if he is aware that these lands have been let for a couple of years in conacre lettings? Is he aware that, in fact, people have been shown portion of the land which they were to get? The man who owns the land is still allowed to let it.
I will take a note of what the Deputy says and inquire by whom they were shown the lands, and I hope to get more definite information for him.
By a Land Commission inspector who lives in Galway.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is yet in a position to state when the lands at Newcastle, Blarney, County Cork, will be reallocated by the Land Commission.
As the proceedings for the resumption of these lands have not been completed, it is not possible to state when allotment will take place.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether, and, if so, when the lands of Goode, Ballyountain, Bandon, County Cork, will be acquired by the Land Commission with a view to division.
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of part of the lands in question but they are not able to state if or when the lands will be acquired.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether, and, if so, when the lands of Wright, Kippagh, Kinsale, County Cork, will be acquired by the Land Commission with a view to division.
Proceedings have not been instituted for the acquisition of these lands.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps the Land Commission propose taking with a view to the acquisition of the Dunalley estate at Kilboy, Nenagh, which is non-residential and which has recently been offered for sale in English newspapers.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands.
I should like to know from the Minister if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire these lands. The land is being offered for sale and there is the danger that some non-national may come in and purchase it. There are about 700 acres suitable for forestry, and about 1,000 acres adjoining this estate which can be had for forestry also.
I will have the matter looked into.
asked the Minister for Lands when it may be expected that the Potter estate, Castleblakeney, County Galway, will be acquired for division by the Land Commission.
Proceedings are in progress in this case but it is not possible to forecast whether or not the lands will be acquired.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether it is proposed to continue the policy of providing accommodation plots for labourers in future land division schemes.
The answer to this question is "yes" provided land is available after prior claims have been met.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether it is proposed to provide a cow plot for the cows of local labourers and others at Moyleggan, Batterstown, County Meath.
The Land Commission have not completed their arrangements for the allotment of the lands in question.