asked the Minister for Lands what progress has been made by the Land Commission towards the acquisition of the Hanley estate, Carrowcrin, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Estate.
53.
Proceedings for acquisition of this 98 acre holding were instituted by the Land Commission this year. An objection to acquisition was allowed following a public hearing before the Lay Commissioners last month, thereby terminating the proceedings.
Would the Minister say whether in a case like that there is any appeal open to the people in the locality against the decision given by this land court?
There is an appeal, as I indicated in the reply to the previous question——
I know.
——on questions of law.
Where the Commissioners take a decision in favour of a particular individual in a locality in which there is severe congestion, is there any opportunity for the people on congested holdings to appeal against the decision?
There is an appeal, as I have indicated, on questions of law and that is a question for these people's advisers.
May I put it this way to the Minister? They have a right of appeal over the heads of the Lay Commissioners?
They have an appeal, as I indicated, on a question of law. The Deputy will not get me away from that.
This is very important, in view of the fact that this farm of land of approximately 100 acres is situated in the heart of a very congested locality; it has been bought and the individual who bought it has had the sale sanctioned by the Land Commission officials and without in any way taking away from the man's character, I can say that he is in the surtax bracket.
Surely the decision of the court should not be criticised in this way? If the Deputy wants to change the law of the land, he will have the opportunity of discussing it on the Land Bill in which I am taking the power from them.
What good is closing the stable door when the horse has gone?
What is the use of talking nonsense. Let the Deputy put up an alternative or shut up.
There are three further questions to the Minister for Lands if the House agrees to take them.
Is it not a disgraceful situation that individuals who are charged with being fair to the public are influenced in their decisions behind the scenes?
The Deputy is making a charge on a public official.
I am going to make it outside this House.
(Interruptions.)
I am quite satisfied that were it not for the fact that influence was used behind the scenes, these unfortunate congests would have been given these lands.
Was it the Deputy or his friends who used the influence?
It is no bother to the Deputy to make a charge.
This is coming from a Government who said——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
Land judges can be slandered by a Deputy who goes out to praise free land but comes in here to slander land judges who are administering the law passed by this House.
In this case they have not administered the law.
The Deputy also supported the Government who——
Deputy McQuillan will resume his seat. Question No. 54.
It is not going to finish here.