asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission proposes to acquire all or portion of an estate in County Roscommon (details supplied); and, if not, the reason for this decision in view of the congestion existing locally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Estate.
58.
There are no proceedings for acquisition of this 41 acre property.
The Land Commission have granted conditional consent to the sale of 37 acres of the holding to a person who has recently returned to this country from England. The question of acquiring the lands does not arise.
Can the Minister say whether the purchaser is living on the estate?
That information is not contained in the note I have here.
He is living in England. Further, can the Minister say whether the Land Commission were interested in this estate as far back as 1955?
I am afraid I do not know.
This is a very congested area and in this particular place there are at least two small farmers who are availing of the small farmers bonus scheme. Is it not the intention of the Land Commission to acquire land for division among such people? And why was this land sold to a man who is living in England?
I understand that the purchaser is a married man who comes from farming stock and I presume the Commissioners took this into consideration and agreed that he should be allowed to have portion of the estate.
Is it the position that the Land Commission have not got the money?
That has nothing to do with it at all. There is plenty of money.