asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the hardships caused to many farmers in County Galway resulting from the large number of fragmented holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - County Galway Fragmented Holdings.
60.
(Cavan): The objective of land settlement policy is the improvement of farm structure; and that includes not alone the enlargement of small holdings but also the rearrangement of holdings which are held in rundale or intermixed plots. In County Galway, as elsewhere, the Land Commission carry out such rearrangement wherever they find it possible and practicable to do so. These operations, of course, always involve the surrender of plots or fields by individual farmers in exchange for other lands: the procedure is entirely voluntary; and success, therefore, depends on the willingness of all concerned to give up the plots required for the rearrangement scheme and to accept in exchange the land which the Land Commission are able to offer them.
Since 1950 approximately 2,450 holdings have been rearranged in County Galway.
Is the Minister aware that there is still a very serious problem in Galway in connection with fragmented holdings and could he tell me if the Land Commission are prepared to initiate any new schemes designed to speed up the restructuring of these holdings?
(Cavan): I am aware that there is a problem in Galway and, indeed, in many other counties. I am informed that it is particularly bad in Galway. The solution to the problem requires the goodwill and co-operation of the various people affected because, if one is going to close gaps, one inevitably has to move people. The officers of my Department are available for consultation with the local people interested. I would suggest that the local advisory services might be availed of to encourage a local plan which would lead to people being agreeable to co-operate in the rearrangement of holdings. From what I have seen and from what I have been told I am convinced that, without goodwill on the part of those concerned, the problem is almost impossible of solution.