andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the Upton farm, Fennagh, County Carlow for division amongst deserving applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of County Carlow Lands.
30.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this farm but inquiries will be made in the matter.
Will the Minister bear in mind that when this farm was purchased about two years ago by a German, it was on the understanding that he was going to start a factory there? Since he purchased that land he has purchased two other farms in the area and is canvassing——
That is not a question; it is a statement.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware of the position.
The Deputy is giving information to the Minister rather than asking him a question.
Will the Minister bear that in mind when making the inquiry?
I have no such information. My information is that the gentleman bought two comparatively small farms in the area. I have no information that he wants them for the intentions expressed by the Deputy.
The Minister should inquire.
31.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the Ballydarton House and lands, Fennagh, County Carlow, for division purposes.
This relatively small property was inspected some years ago but was not considered suitable for Land Commission purposes; it contains a substantial mansion and extensive out-offices entirely out of proportion to the accompanying area of land which is merely 37 acres.
Is the Minister aware that the purchaser of that land, too, is in the process of extending his grip on the surrounding countryside so that he will have plenty of land to go with the big house to which the Minister has referred? Did the Minister envisage, when this land was being allowed to be sold, that this would happen, namely, the purchase of the other land in the locality which is needed for the small farmers to bring their holdings up to an economic size?
I have no information on that; neither can I divine what is in this man's mind or in anybody else's mind. My information is that this is a big house with a small piece of poor land.
But when he starts to buy——
When he starts to buy the Dáil and I am still here——