asked the Minister for Lands if any arrangements are being made by the Land Commission for the sub-division of the Rockingham Estate, County Roscommon; and if, pending resettlement, the Land Commission will ensure that small farmers adjoining the Estate will be given maximum grazing rights on it, and that large tracts of it will not be set for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sub-Division of Rockingham Estate, Roscommon.
22.
Final proposals for allocation of this Estate have not yet been formulated. The claims of all applicants, including any adjoining small farmers, for lettings on the estate, pending its allotment, have been and will continue to be fully considered by the Land Commission.
I do not think the Minister's reply answers my questions fully. Is he aware that very large tracts of the best land on this estate were set to individuals last year and that the inferior land was reserved for the cattle of the poorer farmers in the locality? This year, when dealing with that land, will the Minister ensure that the needs of the small farmers, in so far as the grazing of their cattle is concerned, will be considered before any of those lands are let, and further, will he see that the best portion of those lands is reserved for the grazing of stock by the neighbouring farmers?
I cannot accept the Deputy's allegation, which he made in this House before and which I have had investigated. My information is that the small people adjoining this estate were fully considered and catered for and that policy will be continued. It was only when the needs of the small people were fully met that outsiders were considered.
That was quite correct at the time, but subsequent to my statement, and subsequent to the Minister's reply, several small farmers and other people in the area sought grazing for their cattle and they discovered——
Has the Deputy a question?
Is the Minister aware that they then discovered that large tracts of the best land were set and they could not get sites for grazing? Will the Minister take steps to see that there will not be a recurrence of that this year?
If the small people were backward in coming forward, that is not the fault of my Department or the Land Commission. They are getting due notice now and they can get in in time.
I asked the Minister to see to it that there is not a recurrence.