asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when the Land Commission propose to prepare a scheme for the division of the Begley lands at Mossbrook and Facefield, Balla, County Mayo; the O'Donnell lands at Facefield; the Morley lands at Coolaughbaun, Balla, and the Higgins lands at Derrowel, Balla; and, further, if he will state why the Land Commission continue to acquire lands in this locality when no effort is being made to allot those already held.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Land Division.
The lands in question are to be utilised in connection with the scheme for the rearrangement of holdings on the de Clifford estate. This scheme cannot be put in hands pending the outcome of proceedings for the resumption of two further holdings in the area.
As the Deputy is aware, in practically every case of rearrangement it is necessary to provide a certain amount of additional land before an adequate scheme can be prepared. Until such time as sufficient additional land has been obtained it would be detrimental to the success of the rearrangement proposals, to dispose of such lands as are on hands.
Could the Minister indicate if it is likely that the proceedings for these lands would be completed in time to allow a scheme to be put into operation for the whole of the lands they have in hands in that area by next spring?
I am afraid I could not answer that question without notice.
The Minister would know if the proceedings have reached an advanced stage or are only at the beginning?
They have reached an advanced stage, but I cannot say at the moment. We will do our best to speed up the rearrangement in this particular case.