asked the Minister for Lands the total acreage of land held by the Land Commission in the constituency of East Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - East Galway Lands.
56.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
The current season's land settlement programme, which has been gathering momentum in recent months, is now approaching its peak and will continue at this level for some weeks to come. This means that the position regarding lands taken over by the Land Commission for division throughout the country generally is rapidly changing from day to day. For that reason, statistics on the lines requested, if compiled as of now, would be very quickly out of date.
In the circumstances, perhaps the Deputies would repeat the questions in about mid-April by which time a more realistic assessment of the position should be feasible.
Is it not a fact that no land has been taken over by the Land Commission since the beginning of this year because of the fact that preparation for division was being made? Is it not the easiest thing in the world for the Land Commission to produce the information for which they have been asked?
As my reply indicates, the position is quite the reverse. The momentum in regard to the land settlement programme has been gathering and is increasing from day to day.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his officials have told me that they have not acquired any land and do not intend to proceed with acquisition until after 1st April?
I can assure the Deputy that March is the heaviest acquisition and allotment month of the year.
Allotment, maybe, but certainly not acquisition.