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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1952

Vol. 129 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Westmeath Estate.

andMr. Fagan asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have yet considered the propriety of acquiring the Chapman estate, Southill, Delvin, County Westmeath; and, if so, if he will state when division is likely to take place and if the Land Commission will consider the desirability of enlarging the small holdings in the area and of granting parcels to landless men who served in the I.R.A. and Defence Forces and who are resident in the Delvin and Castlepollard district, adjacent to the estate.

The Chapman estate has been acquired and in December last 395 acres were allotted to 18 local applicants, of whom 12 were smallholders. The balance will be allotted in due course.

It is the invariable practice of the Land Commission to consider the claims of all eligible persons and bodies before allotting any land.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable local dissatisfaction in view of the fact that it is rumoured — I cannot put it any stronger than that — that the local congests and landless men are not getting a fair portion of the estate so acquired? They have been agitating for it for a great number of years.

I have nothing to add.

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