asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate the radical changes which have taken place regarding the rearrangement of holdings in Gortnatraw South, Kerrykeel, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Holdings.
Last year the position in Gortnatraw South was that there were three holdings requiring rearrangement of which one was vacant and the other two occupied.
The Land Commission understand that one of the resident tenants who is married and has a large family, by purchasing the vacant holding from his own resources, has improved his position very much and has lessened the need for their intervention. I do not suggest that this has entirely eliminated the need for rearrangement but it has created a new situation.
Surely the Minister does not suggest that the change he mentioned is a radical change, as indicated by his answer last week? Would he look into the position and see for himself that congestion is just as bad now as it was 12 months ago and that the purchase of the holding by the person concerned has not in any way changed the hardships and inconvenience caused to the others, all of whom are under the rundale system? They have not changed in the slightest degree. The Minister could have used, if he so wished, his prerogative at the time I asked him to have this holding taken over.
The position is that there were only three holdings in that townland needing rearrangement.
Ten.
The Deputy might say ten.
The Deputy knows it.
The Deputy may think there are ten.
There are ten.
This House handed over to the commissioners that power. They informed me that there were only three holdings there needing rearrangement. One of the three tenants bought the holding thereby relieving his own congestion out of his own resources. That leaves the third holding in a pretty bad condition. I can assure the Deputy that the holding will be attended to in due time.
Would the Minister bear this in mind? There are ten holdings in that district all of which are under the rundale system. This has not altered the position in the slightest degree.
I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the notice of the commissioners. They informed me there are only three.