asked the Minister for Lands if he will arrange to send an inspector to the Collierstown and Ballymore districts of County Westmeath for the purpose of investigating the activities of a former British auxiliary officer, who has now accumulated substantially more than 1,000 acres of land, which is not being used or worked in the interest of the nation, and who is at present actively engaged in an attempt further to increase the acreage of land under his control, and if he will state whether he will take steps in the national interest to ensure that such activities shall not be allowed to go unchecked.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Westmeath Lands.
I presume the officer in question is the British Army colonel referred to in a similar question by the Deputy on the 17th May last. On that occasion I gave a very full answer and since then the position has not changed materially. Inquiries are proceeding and, as I have already promised, the Deputy will be informed if the Land Commission decide to acquire.
It is about time, too.