asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a prosperous merchant residing near the Dillon-Mahon Estate, Clonbrock, County Galway, has been given a substantial holding of land by the simple process of surrendering five acres; if he will give the reasons for such action, having regard to the fact that other people in the locality who derive their livelihood solely from farming and its pursuits were excluded from the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allotment of County Galway Lands.
39.
Under section 12, Land Act, 1950, the selection of allottees of land is an excepted matter reserved to the Land Commissioners.
I understand that this 578 acre estate was almost entirely distributed last week among 23 local applicants. The person referred to was one of five allottees who received exchange allotments on the estate. He surrendered to the Land Commission part of his existing holding—Rateable Valuation £22. 13s. 0d.—in exchange for a parcel which, though perhaps big in terms of acreage, included only a small proportion of arable land. To improve the balance of this allotment which was mainly of inferior quality and rough grazing will entail considerable expenditure and the selected allottee was readily considered the best equipped and most competent to undertake this form of "uphill" work.
The claims of any unsuccessful applicants will be considered in connection with the disposal of an area of some 27 acres made available through local exchanges and another estate on hands in the locality.