asked the Minister for Lands if any steps have been taken to divide and fence the Ballybane callow, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Commonage.
12.
The division of this commonage will be investigated in connection with proposals which are envisaged for the enlargement and rearrangement of holdings in the locality.
Does the Minister not realise that there are hundreds of acres of land held similarly all over the country and does he not consider that better use could be made of the land if it were properly fertilised and fenced?
I agree that the system of commonage leads to the land not being well farmed. Nobody wishes to manure such land. Perhaps there is a little selfishness in this, in that someone else might benefit as a result. The need for commonage is disappearing. In regard to the commonage referred to in this question arrangements are being made to have it divided but this will be done in connection with the enlargement of the holdings of smallholders by way of the allotment of estates that are in the hands of the Land Commission.
Can the Minister state if the 1939 Act in relation to commonage is under review?
If the Deputy wishes the Act to be reviewed and if he puts down a specific question in this regard, I expect the Minister will consider his request.