asked the Minister for Lands why the Köln estate, Drakerath, County Meath, which was taken over by the Land Commission on 11th September, 1964, has not yet been divided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Estates.
19.
The formulation of resale proposals for the substantial acreage—509 acres—purchased on this estate was deferred pending the acquisition of a further area of 91 acres from the same owner. Possession of this 91 acre area passed to the Land Commission last March and arrangements for the preparation of a composite scheme for the total area of 600 acres are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if there is a danger that because of the fact that Herr Köln is engaged on the purchase of another sizeable farm which he may subsequently offer to the Land Commission, there will be a hold up again for a further period?
Would the Deputy not like us to acquire more land?
Not if it means holding up acreage that was acquired three or four years before it was subsequently divided.
20.
asked the Minister for Lands why the Smyth estate, Rathmanoo, County Meath, which was taken over by the Land Commission, has not yet been divided.
I understand that some of the essential preliminary inquiries on the ground in connection with the resale of this 144 acre estate have been undertaken. Difficulties have been encountered in preparing a satisfactory scheme due to the limited road frontage and the possibility of acquiring other land to make for the better division of the estate is at present under examination.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if there is a rule in the Department that land acquired for division should be divided within a period of two years and if it now appears that there is a considerable departure from that arrangement?
As I pointed out, there is a certain difficulty in relation to this estate because there is a narrow road frontage. There is a possibility of acquiring more land which would make it easier for division, so it is reasonable that the Land Commission should try to get this land.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary know what the road frontage on this estate is? Is it a mile?
The road frontage is only one-eighth of a mile.
Surely in practically every estate the Land Commission acquired they found it necessary to build an entrance into the farm? Deputy Clinton lived on one side of this farm and I lived on the other.
One-eighth of a mile amazes me. Someone must have made a mistake.
That is my information. The estate has a road frontage of only one-eighth of a mile.