asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the lands of Whitfield estate, Cloughjordan, County Tipperary are at present up for sale; and if the Land Commission have considered acquiring these lands for division among the local smallholders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Estates.
32.
The Land Commission acquired 90 acres of this estate in 1960 and those lands were allotted mainly to the local smallholders. The Land Commission are aware that the balance of the property is now on the market and they are having inquiries made.
33.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state, further to previous replies on the matter, whether any decision has yet been reached by the Land Commission regarding the Goor estate, Garrykennedy, Portroe, County Tipperary; and, if so, what decision.
The Land Commission have had a few discussions with the owner's solicitor about this property but certain aspects have yet to be finalised before a decision will be practicable. There will be no avoidable delay in reaching a decision.
Could the Minister say how long it takes the Land Commission to arrive at a decision in a matter like this?
The Deputy is aware that in this particular case there were exceptional circumstances and certain difficulties. As I said, the Land Commission are continuing inquiries and a decision will be reached as soon as possible.
Is the Minister aware that this farm was bought by a foreign gentleman, who flew over to Dublin and who never saw the lands? He has never worked them. I understand they are lying derelict with a couple of hundred mountainy sheep grazing them.
The reply is there will be no avoidable delay in reaching a decision.
Will it be a month or six months?
I could not say.
This is my third question about this particular estate. I put a question down six months ago and I got the very same reply as the Parliamentary Secretary has given me today.