asked the Minister for Lands if the Potterton estate at Clonlost, County Westmeath, which comprises 240 acres, has been purchased by a speculator (name supplied); and if he will take steps to ensure that this land is repurchased by the Land Commission in order to alleviate local congestion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath Estate.
18.
(Cavan): The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of the property referred to but have been keeping the case under review; I am asking them to have up-to-date inquiries made.
Is the Minister aware that there is a grave doubt locally that there is speculation on land? This being one of the counties where there is a small pool of land left, will the Minister take active steps to see that this land is not the subject of speculation?
(Cavan): This estate has been under the attention of the Land Commission for some considerable time. From the records I see that Deputy L'Estrange drew the attention of the Land Commission to it as far back as the 27th of January, 1972.
Where is he from?
(Cavan): Deputy L'Estrange asked on that occasion if the Land Commission intends to acquire the Potterton estate and, if so, when. My predecessor replied that while the Land Commission did carry out some inquiries in respect of both of these holdings they had not at that time come to a firm conclusion about them. According to my information, the Land Commission have this property under review since, and, as I have stated, I have asked the Land Commission for an up to date report on the proceedings. The Deputy may take it that it will be fully investigated.