asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have acquired the Blake estate at Corbally, County Galway, for division; and, if so, if he will state when the lands will be divided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not arise.
Will the Minister say when the Land Commission propose to acquire these lands?
The proceedings in connection with the fixing of the price have not yet been terminated.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have received requests from applicants for land to acquire for division amongst the local deserving applicants the lands comprising 1,600 acres owned by Mr. de Jenner, Swiss Ambassador to Bulgaria, at Capard, Rosenallis, County Laois, and if they will have those lands inspected at an early date with a view to division amongst local people.
Representations were made recently for the acquisition of the estate in question and the matter is being investigated.
Has the Minister any information to the effect that His Excellency, the Swiss Ambassador to Bulgaria, has offered portion of his estate to the Land Commission?
I have no information to that effect.
Would the Minister undertake to have this estate inspected with the least possible delay, in view of the fact that there is congestion in the area?
Do you want to dispossess His Excellency, the Swiss Ambassador?
I do not give a curse about either you or him, and I would dispossess him if I could.
That is what you want to do.
If I can dispossess His Excellency of that land, I will do so.
Is the Minister aware that this is one of about half a dozen such cases? Foreigners of this type are coming in here competing against Irish nationals in the purchase of land and cutting across the policy of the Land Commission.
Is it conceivably possible that a Swiss gentleman can come in here and buy more than 1,000 acres of land, set it to Irish people and then retire to Bulgaria and collect the rent?
I have no information at my disposal at the moment. I think I am justified in saying that these matters can be inquired into, as far as the Land Commission is concerned, only if reports or representations are made. No representations were made as far as I know.
Yes, there were, and if the Minister does not take action the local people will.
I am warning the Minister that the local people will act if he does not.
I do not intend to be bullied or threatened by anybody in these matters.
We are only telling you what is going to happen.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when it is proposed to divide the lands of Lord Decies at Kinnitty, Birr, County Offaly, whether he has information as to what progress the Land Commission has made in this matter with a view to relieving local congestion, and, if so, the extent of the progress made.
The Land Commission are not in possession of these lands but they are having inquiries made to ascertain if any portion of the lands is suitable for their purposes.
Surely the Minister and the Land Commission must be aware of the fact that, in these areas, there are a number of former employees of Lord Decies who are anxious to acquire portion of this land. Will the Minister undertake to see that the former employees who were dismissed by Lord Decies for joining a trade union will be given sympathetic consideration in the event of the lands being divided?
I do not think that arises.
Is the Minister aware that Lord Decies is not the real owner but only the managing director for a group of foreigners?