asked the Minister for Lands what is the present position in regard to the division of the O'Farrell estate, Dalystown, near Loughrea, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
The preparation of schemes for the division of the O'Farrell estate and the adjoining estate of the Dalystown company is in hands but it is not yet possible to state when they will be completed. As the schemes may involve the rearrangement of a number of holdings in the area the Deputy will appreciate that the matter may become protracted.
asked the Minister for Lands what is the present position in regard to the acquisition and division of the Daly estate, Dunsandle, Athepry, County Galway.
An objection to acquisition, lodged by a lessee of these lands, has been disallowed and proceedings are being continued. However it is not yet possible to state whether or when the lands will be acquired.
asked the Minister for Lands whether representations have been made to the Land Commission on behalf of a number of landholders on the Clanrickard estate, near Woodford, County Galway, who have offered their holdings, as well as 4,000 acres held in common, in exchange for more compact and economic holdings, and, if so, what progress has been made in the matter.
Representations have been received on behalf of a number of landholders in the area, who are anxious to exchange their holdings, and the Land Commission are having inquiries made in the matter.
I would point out, however, that the holdings in question were vested in the tenants upwards of 25 years ago, after additional land had been provided in most cases; some necessary improvement works, such as fencing, were also carried out at the time. Any further action that may be required will have to await the settlement of other areas, that have not yet been touched.
asked the Minister for Lands when a scheme of distribution will be put into effect in connection with the lands at Coolfin, Burdett estate, Banagher, which were recently acquired by the Land Commission from the Offaly County Council.
The Land Commission have not acquired the lands in question but the matter is at present under examination.
asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission propose to divide the lands of Mr. McCannon, Ballintrillick, County Sligo, which have been in the hands of the commission for a considerable period, and what is the cause of the delay in dividing these lands.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the McCannon estate at Hollyfield. Although these lands became vested in the Land Commission last August, clear possession was obtained less than three weeks ago. A scheme for the division of the estate is in course of preparation, but as yet I am unable to indicate when allotment will take place.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of taking over the Corstown estate, Drumconrath, Drogheda, for division among local deserving applicants and for the provision of a cow-plot, and, if so, with what result?
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Moore estate at Corstown. Proceedings for the acquisition of these lands are in progress but the question of price has not yet been settled. The applications of all local persons and the question of providing a cow-park will be fully considered if and when the estate is acquired.
asked the Minister for Lands (a) whether a scheme for the allocation of the Corscadden estate, Cooper Hill, Drogheda, has been drawn up by the Land Commission, (b) whether the commission have interviewed all local applicants in connection with the investigation of their claims to a portion of the estate, and (c) whether a cow-plot is to be provided on the estate.
A scheme for the disposal of this estate, possession of which was obtained only last month, is in course of preparation and, in connection therewith, the interviewing of local applicants is at present going on. Until the scheme has been finally formulated it would not be possible to indicate whether a cow-park will be provided on the lands.
Will the Minister state if it would be correct for officials of his Department to tell some of the local people who are anxious to acquire some of this land that three migrants are to be brought up and put on that estate and that there will be no land for local farmers?
No; it would not be correct, because the inspector can only make proposals. It is the commissioners who will decide what use will be made of the land.
Someone should tell him that.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that 100 acres of the Murdock estate, Baltrasna, Oldcastle, County Meath, which was recently allotted to a migrant, have been let on the 11 months system, and, if so, what action it is proposed to take in the matter.
I am not aware of the subletting of the lands referred to by the Deputy.
I would point out, however, that the particular migrant took up possession only about two months ago and partial letting for the first year or two, while very much deprecated, could in some circumstances be inescapable. Only if the subletting were persisted in would I ask the Land Commission to reexamine the situation.
Is the Minister not aware that on 31st March an advertisement appeared in the Meath Chronicle offering for letting 100 Irish acres of these lands? Does he not consider that, in view of the fact that quite a large number of local uneconomic holders were refused part of this land, it is going a bit too far when migrants can go in and sublet the land and will he take some action in the matter?
As I said in reply to the Deputy's question, it is not desirable that such a thing should happen, but occasionally it does; perhaps a migrant is not financially well off enough to stock his land fully. In the odd case in which it does happen, there is not much notice taken of it, providing the migrant does not make a game of it and let the land year after year.
Will the Minister say if an investigation will take place to find out what is the position about this farm, because it is a clear example of what we have been preaching in this House over a number of years, that the wrong people are getting the land?
The Deputy cannot make a general case out of this exception to the rule. The majority of the migrants work their lettings and are a very good example in the county. We cannot take action against a man who, because perhaps of financial embarrassment, has to sublet the land for a short time, until he gets on his feet.
Is the Minister not aware that the whole 100 acres which they got are being sublet? Does he not agree that that is going too far? There is no question of financial embarrassment or anything else like that.
If it continues, I will have the matter examined.