asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission are aware of the congestion that exists in the Lewin and other estates in Kilshanvey and Kilconley, County Galway; and, if so, what steps are now being taken to acquire some of the large farms in that area for the relief of the uneconomic holdings in the locality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of County Galway Lands.
The Land Commission have taken appropriate steps with a view to relieving the congestion in this area. The question as to the particular lands to be acquired for this purpose is a matter reserved to the commissioners.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the lands of Mr. Thomas O'Dea at Kilbannon, County Galway; and, if so, what progress has been made in the matter.
The question as to the particular lands to be acquired or resumed is a reserved function of the Land Commission and depends on the suitability of the lands for the purposes of the Land Commission and whether they come within the scope of the powers of acquisition or resumption conferred under the Land Acts.
I should like to ask the Minister if he is just refusing to give information regarding a particular farm when a Deputy asks a question about it? I have asked the Minister to give particulars regarding a certain farm and the Minister gives me a sort of general reply that it is the Land Commission's business and that I should not poke my nose into it. He said something tantamount to that. I think that is a wrong kind of reply to get from the Minister.
The question the Deputy puts is a rather foolish one. The first part of it is "whether the Land Commission propose to acquire". The Deputy's memory surely is not so short as not to remember the debate in Committee on Section 12 of the recent Land Bill when he, as well as others on that side of the House, were most particular that the Minister should not assume any of the powers that were previously conferred on the Land Commission.
I have asked the Minister if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire certain lands. I expected that the answer to that would be "yes" or "no."
The question definitely refers to a specific farm, and that is one of the very first excepted matters under the 1933 Act and again under the 1950 Act.
Will the Minister——
The Minister should not be interrupted in that fashion.
One of the very first reserved matters under Section 12 of the 1950 Act is the particular lands to be acquired or resumed by the Land Commission. It is not a matter for the Deputy or for me. Farms as a class can be referred to but specific farms should not be.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have as yet acquired the lands at Cloghnanower, Record No. 9934, owned by Mr. Tobias Laffey, Emlaghfad, Ballymote, County Galway; and, if not, if he will state the cause of the delay.
A final decision has not yet been reached by the Land Commission Court in regard to the acquisition of these lands. The case being sub judice it would be inappropriate for me to attempt to answer the second part of the question, as any such attempt might be interpreted as a criticism of the court in the discharge of its functions.