asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission intend purchasing the McNeill estate, Moycullen, County Galway, for division among local congests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Estate.
57.
, Cavan): The Land Commission have decided to carry out an inspection of the property referred to with a view to determining whether acquisition proceedings should be instituted, and the requisite notice to this effect was served last month. Until such time as the inspection has been completed it is not possible to say what action will follow.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, of which I heard only part——
(Cavan): That was not my fault.
——could I ask the Minister if he is aware of the feeling of the local people in the Moycullen area regarding the sale of this land when there are many small congested farmers in the area? Why had the Land Commission not taken an interest in the farm before it got to the stage when it was up for public auction; and when it was advertised for public auction why did the Land Commission not participate in that auction? Is the Minister aware that the person who purchased the land at the auction indicated to the farmers at a meeting last night, which I attended, that he is prepared to withdraw from the sale provided the Land Commission take it over for division among local congests?
(Cavan): I am not aware of any of the matters mentioned by the Deputy. As the Deputy is aware, the acquisition of land is entirely a matter for the Land Commission. I am aware from information supplied to me by the Land Commission that instructions issued on 22nd April, 1974, for a full report with a view to determining acquisition proceedings and until that report has been obtained it is not possible to say what steps will be taken.
Could the Minister say why the Land Commission did not participate in the auction?
(Cavan): I am not in a position to say why they did not.
This is a very important matter. I am sure the Minister does not want any agitation to arise and wants the matter properly dealt with. Has the Minister himself received representations in this case? He said it was a matter for the Land Commission but surely he has had representations?
(Cavan): I receive very many personal letters about these things. I am not in a position to say whether I received personal representations about this case. That is not in the question and I have not that information. I am not in a position to say whether I received personal representations about this case.
Is the Minister in a position to indicate to the House whether the Land Commission decision will be taken in a short while?
(Cavan): As soon as the Land Commission have carried out their investigations and come to a decision, I will pass on the result to the Deputy, if he so wishes.