asked the Minister for Lands if in view of the serious land congestion in the parish of Ballymacoda and Gortroe, Youghal, County Cork he will consider having these areas classed as congested areas for the purposes of the Land Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Congested Areas.
22.
The Deputy's representations have been noted for attention as soon as circumstances permit. However, as I have pointed out previously in reply to similar questions and in the course of the debates on the Land Act, 1965, I consider that priority should be afforded to the traditional congested areas as scheduled in the Act and that it would, as yet, be premature to make any Orders declaring additional congested areas.
Is the Minister aware that of these holdings three farms have land at present comprising some 260 acres altogether and that the Land Commission had to wait three years to get possession of the second two holdings so as to bring up the holdings in the area to an average of 25 acres? Does he consider that a congested district or not?
That is another matter. I shall not argue with the Deputy as to whether or not there is local congestion; I accept that if he alleges it. What I am saying is that under the Land Act and in the Land Commission's work during the years, priority must be given to the scheduled congested areas where congestion is intense.