asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Kirwin estate, Dalgan, Milltown, Tuam, County Galway, and, if so, what progress has been made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Galway Estates.
The Land Commission considered the possibility of acquiring this estate and have decided to take no further action in the matter.
Is the Land Commission not aware that there is a growing need for land in this locality and that this is the only land which is available and will be available in the future for distribution amongst uneconomic congests in this area?
I understand the land in question is held now by a purchaser who is considered to be a suitable purchaser by the Land Commission or the Department of Lands.
asked the Minister for Lands what progress has been made by the Land Commission in connection with the purchase or acquisition of the Newell estate, New Garden, Belclare, County Galway.
Proceedings for the acquisition of this estate were instituted some years ago but terminated in 1951 when an objection lodged by the owner was allowed. The lands have recently been purchased by a local smallholder and the Land Commission have no current proceedings in respect of the lands.
Is the Minister aware that there were representations to the Land Commission away back in February of this year in respect of those lands? The area is over 300 acres—and 300 acres of land are very important in that locality. If the Land Commission say that a man from Galway City coming to Tuam is a local man, they are making a bit of a mistake. There is agitation there and there is need to deal with the situation. There is no way of solving the problem in the locality other than by the acquisition of these lands.
It is agreed that there is congestion in this district, without question. In this case also, the purchaser is considered a suitable purchaser. In regard to the notice which was given to the Land Commission as to the sale of this estate at the time, as I understand it there was not sufficient time allowed from the objections taking place until the sale took place.