asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the Land Commission propose to give a new residential holding on the estate of Mr. William O'Malley at Formoyle, Louisburgh, to one tenant; that the adjoining uneconomic tenants have been grazing these lands under temporary convenience lettings for a number of years and that if a residential holding is given to one tenant on these lands there will not be enough land left to relieve local congestion, and if he will state whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of allotting these lands amongst the local uneconomic tenants; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allotment of Lands.
Proposals for the disposal of the holding in question have not been approved. The holding will be dealt with under a scheme for the rearrangement of the holdings in the area.
Will the Minister consider having these lands allocated amongst local uneconomic holders in preference to migrating some tenant into this holding?
The disposal of these lands is purely a matter for the inspectors under the commissioners. I have no function in the matter, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. What I understand the inspectors are doing in this case is that they are using this particular farm of 180 acres to facilitate the rearrangement of the adjoining townland of Formoyle. While proposals have been put forward for the disposal of the holding, it appears that, so far, they have not been accepted by the tenants, and that the rearrangement scheme has not met with the acceptance of all the tenants concerned. The matter is still under review.
Did the Minister not take power under the recent Land Act to deal with rearrangements?
I presume the Deputy is referring to a certain section of the 1950 Act. The Minister has power to delegate from the commissioners the question of rearrangement, but I do not intend to avail of that power except in cases of urgency where the question of final sanction is very important or is necessary to prevent the frustration of a scheme.