asked the Minister for Lands when drainage and road works will be completed on the mountain bog, Ballinlough, County Roscommon; and if the turbary will be allotted to the tenants of the holdings there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Bogs.
57.
The Land Commission have already carried out extensive development works on this bog at a cost of some £3,900. Proposals for further development and allocation of the turbary will be put in hands as early as possible. In the meantime 90 persons are being accommodated, under seasonal lettings, on a large section of the bog.
In view of the fact that quite a large number of tenants are very anxious to have this turbary put into the condition in which it can be cut and taken home, would the Parliamentary Secretary not speed up the completion of this scheme he says the Minister has in mind?
The Deputy can be assured that already one inspector has been allocated full-time to this assignment.
58.
asked the Minister for Lands when drainage and road works will be (a) commenced and (b) completed on the Meelickroe Bog, Ballinlough, County Roscommon.
The Land Commission do not appear to have any bog on hands at Meelickroe. However, if the Deputy has in mind an area of turbary in the adjoining townland of Clooncalgy More, I can say that, since 1939, the Land Commission have expended sums amounting to about £2,560 on development of this 105 acre bog, thereby enabling seasonal turbary lettings to be made to 65 persons. It is hoped that the formulation of proposals for final allocation of this bog will be feasible this year.
59.
asked the Minister for Lands when drainage and road works will be (a) commenced and (b) completed on the Cloonconra Bog, Castlerea, County Roscommon.
This bog was conveyed to trustees in 1906; therefore, under the terms of the deed of trust the duty to carry out and construct all necessary works and drains resides in the trustees and the Land Commission do not propose to act in the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that quite a number of tenants who would like to use this bog have applied to the Special Employment Schemes Office for a rural improvement schemes grant and have been turned down on the ground that the cost involved would be too great? In the circumstances, would he explain how these tenants are supposed to cut turf and get it out of this bog?
If a proposal comes to the Land Commission, through the trustees, and it is a feasible proposal, it will be approved.
In a case like this, when the trustees are not carrying out their responsibilities, surely the Minister has power to intervene? He has already intervened in other instances of this nature. Is the Minister not empowered to intervene where the trustees are not carrying out the responsibilities with which they are charged?
I shall have the matter investigated.