asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have any plans for the acquisition in County Galway of (1) the Keaveney Estate, Clooncum West, Glenamaddy, (2) the Collins Estate, Kilkerrin Road, Glenamaddy, (3) the Burke Estate, Loughpark, Glenamaddy and (4) the Keaveney Estate, Loughpark, Glenamaddy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Estates.
50.
The position in relation to the properties mentioned is as follows:
(1) The Land Commission had this 38-acre holding inspected two years ago and decided not to move for acquisition. I understand that there are no grounds for reopening the matter.
(2) There are no proceedings for the acquisition of this small holding of 8 acres, which borders on the village of Glenamaddy, but inquiries are being made.
(3) Proceedings for compulsory acquisition of these lands containing 23 acres have reached the stage where price is being arranged.
(4) The appropriate statutory notices directed towards the acquisition of this 21-acre holding have only just been published and will be served on the owner at an early date.
Is the Minister aware that the owner of the estate referred to in the first part of the question has now returned from England, has married and is now working and developing his farm? In view of this will the Minister state that the Land Commission interest in the farm is now finished?
Yes.
51.
asked the Minister for Lands when (1) the Dermody Estate, Middletown, Glenamaddy, (2) the Walsh Estate, Middletown, Glenamaddy, (3) the Joyce Estate, Cuiltafadda, Cloonminda, Castlerea, (4) the Collins Estate, Bushtown, Cloonminda, Castlerea, (5) the Ward Estate, Derreen, Kilkerrin, Ballinasloe, (6) the Raftery Estate, Cloonlara North, Cloonminda, Castlerea, and (7) the Quinn Estate, Clooncum East, Glenamaddy, County Galway, will be divided.
It is hoped that the properties numbered (1), (2), (5) and (7), comprising in all 143 acres, will be allotted in the coming spring. Composite resale proposals are envisaged for the properties numbered (3), (4) and (6), comprising 80 acres, together with two other holdings totalling 44 acres which are being acquired by the Land Commission in this locality. Pending completion of the proceedings for the acquisition of the two holdings referred to, it is not possible to indicate when resale plans can be formulated.
Is the Minister aware that the individual who purchased this holding has bought quite a few other holdings in that area? Is he further aware that there are approximately 15 to 20 landholders in the district who would qualify for land should the Land Commission acquire the holdings and is he also aware that the house and part of the lands around the house, which is inferior land, was sought to be bought at the sale? Should the Land Commission acquire this holding they would not have much difficulty getting rid of the house and the adjoining land.
I understand there is a very good offer for the house and the ground but even at that the land would come very dear and candidly I would come be in favour of the Land Commission competing with that price. I would envisage that the ultimate allottee would not be able to meet the annuity that would have to be placed on a holding bought at such inflated levels. I do not know anything other than what the Deputy says about the purchaser. I have no information about the land he may have but apart from this estate the Land Commission have other land in the area which can be used to relieve the limited remaining congestion in the vicinity.
May I take it that the Land Commission have no intention of acquiring this holding?
I would not encourage them to pay that money. It is the commissioner who makes the decision.
Is it the decision that no further steps will be taken?
Yes, as of now.
Would the Minister agree that the only land worth speaking about is the land mentioned at No. 7? I do not mean to say that the Minister should acquire the land. The other areas mentioned by the Minister, as well as those mentioned by him the other day, are worthless; they are minutiae. One of the Minister's predecessors, Mr. Seán Moylan, would not have touched them with a 40-foot pole.
I agree with what the Deputy says.
52.
asked the Minister for Lands what is the position regarding the Love Estate, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
The Land Commission endeavoured to purchase this 171 acre property at a public auction on 3rd of last month—but in the event, they were not successful.
53.
asked the Minister for Lands why the Green farm at Gaulstown, Duleek, County Meath, has not been divided among the local deserving applicants.
It is felt that the most satisfactory over-all plan for the disposal of this estate can be formulated if the Land Commission succeed in acquiring additional land in the area which could be utilised in a comprehensive scheme of land settlement. At present the Land Commission have proceedings for compulsory acquisition of two other properties in the locality, aggregating 206 acres, and composite resale proposals will be prepared as soon as these proceedings have been completed.