asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the number of tenants in the Shannon valley area who have been offered exchange holdings, (b) the location and acreage of the lands so offered, and (c) the number of such offers which have been accepted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exchange of Holdings.
asked the Minister for Lands if, with reference to the statement of the Minister for Agriculture in the Dáil on 16th December, 1954 (Volume 147, columns 1871-1872), in regard to the provision of exchange holdings for farmers in the flooded areas of the Shannon valley, he will state whether it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation to expedite the provision of such exchange holdings, and, if not, how it is proposed to make such exchange holdings immediately available.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I will take together Questions Nos. 23 and 24.
It is not proposed to introduce legislation on the lines indicated in the first part of Question No. 23. Existing legislation empowers the Land Commission to provide exchange holdings on land in their possession or which may be acquired by them. As soon as the condition of the land permitted, a detailed survey of all the flooded farms in the Shannon valley area was put in hands and it is now almost complete. Until the survey has been completed and examined, it will not be possible to formulate proposals.
Do I understand from the Minister that there is sufficient land available to offer an exchange holding to every person in the Shannon valley area who indicates he wants one?
The Deputy did not ask that and I did not answer it.
I asked in Question No. 24 if it was proposed to introduce proposals for legislation designed to provide these holdings and I understand the Minister said it was not proposed, that there was sufficient land available. Perhaps I misunderstood him.
The Deputy asked was it proposed to introduce new legislation and the reply was: "It is not proposed to introduce legislation on the lines indicated in the first part of Question No. 23. Existing legislation empowers the Land Commission to provide exchange holdings on land in their possession..."
That clearly means the land is available and no legislation is needed in order to provide the land for the people who need it.
The Land Commission have sufficient powers under existing legislation.
Have they sufficient land, that is the question?
I am informed "yes".
God help the poor old people. I am glad to find that out, that they have got the land in the Land Commission, but we will not get it down in Mayo.