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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Jun 1956

Vol. 157 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring for distribution among local small landholders the lands of Mr. Michael Murtagh, Cashel, Toberacurry, County Sligo, which were recently offered for sale.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands, but they are having inquiries made about them.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the lands of P. and J. Ryan, Ballybraher, Ballycotton, have yet been taken over by the Land Commission, whether the commission are aware that there is a large number of uneconomic landholders in the district, and what steps it is proposed to take to expedite the acquisition and division of these lands.

The Land Commission have not yet obtained possession of 180 acres which the owners agreed to sell to them. Difficulties about title have arisen and the owners are taking steps to clear them. When the Land Commission secure possession of the lands division will be effected as early as practicable and the claims of all local smallholders will be fully considered.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have decided to acquire the Henderson estate, Mullaghmast, Ballytore, County Kildare; when a scheme of allotment will be put into effect, and whether the commission are prepared to give an assurance that the claims of local uneconomic holders will not be overlooked in the preparation of such scheme.

There are certain negotiations in progress between the Land Commission and the owner which for the moment must remain confidential. Should the lands come into possession of the Land Commission the claims of all local uneconomic holders will be fully considered.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have instituted proceedings in connection with the acquisition of the lands of Mr. Patrick Donnally, Record No. S7743, in the townland of Skrine, County Roscommon.

The Land Commission have not instituted proceedings for the acquisition of Mr. Patrick Donnelly's 30-acre farm at Skrine. These lands were allotted to him by way of exchange for other lands which he surrendered to the Land Commission.

Is the Minister aware that these lands have recently been purchased by a farmer who has a farm of 300 acres in the vicinity; and in view of the fact that this is his second or third attempt to purchase land in the locality, at the expense of congests, would the Minister not agree that the time is well ripe to ensure that farmers or landowners with such a large acreage are not allowed to purchase land that can be used to solve the congestion problem?

That is not the question the Deputy asked.

It is a supplementary.

It is not even related to the first question, but let me say that the Land Commission have fairly sweeping powers to take up whatever lands they want for the relief of congestion in a locality, and what is congestion and how to settle it is a matter for them.

I appreciate that, but is the Minister not aware that the primary function of the Land Commission is the relief of congestion, and, in order to relieve congestion, it is essential to have a pool of land? Here we have a man who has 300 acres of land—I have no objection to him personally; he is a good farmer—and if such people are allowed to continue purchasing land ad lib., is it not a fact that congestion cannot be relieved and we will have this question of emigration all the time?

The Deputy is asking a question on an entirely different matter.

With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the holding of the late Patrick Connaughton, Toberdan, Lecarrow, County Roscommon, for the purpose of relieving congestion, and, if so, with what result.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands, but they are having inquiries made about them.

Is the Minister aware that these lands have recently been offered for sale and that it is quite likely that the sale is about to be closed?

No, I am not aware of that.

Is the Land Commission not aware that the lands have been up for public auction recently?

I am not in a position to say.

Would the Minister state what exactly the officials are doing, if they are not aware of the fact that a specific offer was made for these lands recently?

It is not the Land Commission's business to prevent free sale or to keep a tab on every sale of land all over the country. They are only interested in land that might suit them.

Is it not a fact that there is quite a large amount of congestion in this locality and is it not the job of the Land Commission to keep an eye on the sale of land in the locality?

The question has reference to a particular piece of land, that of Patrick Connaughton, Toberdan, but the Deputy is raising a general matter.

I will make it specific. Is it not a fact that congestion exists in this locality and that, therefore, it is the duty of the Land Commission, whenever a suitable farm like this farm is put up for sale, to keep their eyes open in order to purchase that land, if possible?

In every case where there is land suitable for the relief of congestion in a locality, the Land Commission do that. That is the Land Commission's business and the Deputy or myself or any other Deputy might have different ideas from theirs as to how congestion in a locality should be settled, but it is the Land Commission's views that count in the long run. They may want this farm or they may think it is not suitable. They are probably aware of the sale of it and whether they want it or not is their business, but that does not relieve them of the responsibility of settling congestion that may exist in the locality.

I asked the Minister a simple question, as to whether the Land Commission was aware that these lands were for sale and the Minister said he does not know. Would he now convey to the Land Commission the fact that this farm is now for sale?

That does not affect the Land Commission's powers to purchase that land, if they want to. It is the laws that this House makes that allow them to take it over and that is their business.

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