asked the Minister for Lands why the Land Commission turned down the offer of the holding of Mr. Matthew Woulfe, Ballyouneen, Lisselton, County Kerry (A. & R. 50294/50 Receivable Order No. U.I. 4909) in exchange for a holding in one of the eastern counties, in view of the congestion that exists in that part of Kerry.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offer to Exchange Holding.
Mr. Woulfe holds 124 acres of which some 22 acres are arable and about 90 acres are subject to flooding. There is no congestion in the vicinity. The application for an exchange was refused by the Land Commission after full consideration of all the circumstances.
Is the Minister serious when he tells me there is no congestion in that part of the country? Is he aware that this is one of many holdings offered to the Land Commission for division recently and that they have all been turned down? What is being carried on by the Land Commission in County Kerry?
Surely the Deputy is not serious when he says that an offer of 124 acres, 90 of which are under water, is an attractive proposition? I do not like to give information of this kind here because, if the owner of this holding or any other holding wishes to sell it later to a private individual, it might have the effect of depressing the price. My information is that there is no congestion in the vicinity and that the commissioners fully considered the question of the application for an exchange and decided to turn it down. That is the end of the matter.