asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have yet acquired the Glavey Estate, Ballintubber, County Roscommon (Record No. S.22308).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Estates.
47.
The proceedings instituted by the Land Commission for acquisition of this 40 acre property terminated last October when an objection to acquisition was allowed following a public hearing.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on 10th March, 1962, I was informed by letter by the Minister for Lands that the Land Commission was about to institute proceedings for the acquisition of this farm?
That was done.
Is it not a fact that the individual who purchased this land is a very substantial businessman, a publican and grocer, and a man who already has a substantial amount of land, and that the Land Commission were very anxious to acquire this land in view of the circumstances in the locality? How can the Parliamentary Secretary reconcile that position with the statement made by the Minister for Lands that the land would be acquired to give economic holdings to the small holders in the district?
That is a separate matter.
This House has set up a judicial tribunal to decide these matters.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider it appropriate that these people should now be deprived for all time of a few acres of land to give them a reasonable livelihood while an individual who has no need of land is allowed to go in and purchase it?
He is a man with eight children and has no large holding of land.
You know the local cumann has been working actively in this particular matter.
48.
asked the Minister for Lands what stage has been reached by the Land Commission in the acquisition of the Hanley Estate, Carrowcrin, County Roscommon for the relief of local congests.
49.
asked the Minister for Lands what is the present position regarding the acquisition by the Land Commission of the Mulligan Estate, Mullymum, County Roscommon for the relief of congests.
50.
andMr. J.J. Burke asked the Minister for Lands if his Department have any proposals for the acquisition of the Hanley and Mulligan Estates in County Roscommon.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 48, 49 and 50 together.
There are no proceedings for acquisition of these two estates but inquiries are being made regarding them.
With regard to the first of these two, the Hanley Estate, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are no fewer than 24 holdings of a valuation under £15 within a statute mile of this farm which has now been purchased by a company director who is also a veterinary surgeon and who wants the land for no other purpose than to avoid income tax payments? In view of the utter necessity for land in the area, will the Parliamentary Secretary say when a decision will be arrived at, in view of the fact that this individual has now taken possession of the land?
The facts mentioned by the Deputy have been placed before the Land Commission and the matter is now in the hands of the local inspectors.
The Deputy is taking advantage of his Parliamentary immunity to make allegations against people who cannot proceed against him.
The Minister for Health knows as little about land as he knows about health. The Deputy has stated outside the House on several occasions what he has stated here and is prepared to say it again.
The Deputy is concerned only with making political capital out of the situation by his senseless agitation.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary now describe as a senseless agitation the representations made to the Minister for Lands in this matter?
I am describing the Deputy's behaviour inside the House and outside it as senseless and not helpful to the people concerned.
Question No. 51.
May I ask a further supplementary with regard to the other farms?
I have called Question No. 51.
The Chair may not realise it but the division of land is a very important matter.
I realise that I have a duty to the House to see that business is conducted in a proper manner.
I protest against the action of the Parliamentary Secretary in taking together a number of questions relating to different parcels of land.