asked the Minister for Lands if division of farms (details supplied) in the Lisbarry and Grange areas of County Sligo will soon be proceeded with.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo Land Division.
18.
(Cavan): Possession of the lands in question passed to the Land Commission on various dates between 1964 and 1975 but allotment was deferred until a comprehensive scheme of land division could be undertaken in the area.
Composite proposals for the disposal of the holdings referred to and 14 other properties in the same general area, totalling in all some 336 acres, are being finalised by the Land Commission with the intention of allotting the lands this year.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I am satisfied the Minister has succeeded in expediting the division of spring farms but there are still farms quite a long time in the hands of the Land Commission and not alone does this create——
A question, Deputy, please.
Not alone does this create difficulty but it creates bad feeling because when those farms are being rented out to people——
Is this a speech or a question?
On a point of order, Sir, I want to protest at the time you allowed for dealing with the questions in Deputy Tunney's name.
That is not a point of order.
I wanted to ask a question and I was not allowed to but a number of Deputies were allowed to make speeches.
Only 18 questions have been dealt with in an hour and that shows that the Chair has not been unfair to Deputies. How much more latitude do Members require?
This question must be properly dealt with and I protest against Deputies being prevented from asking appropriate supplementary questions.
(Cavan): I do not know if Deputy McLaughlin heard my reply to his question.
What question?
(Cavan): His original question. The land he inquired about totals 336 acres and it is hoped to divide it this year. Arrangements have been made to do that.
The land referred to——
(Interruptions.)
Am I allowed to speak?
Has the Deputy a supplementary to put?
Yes. I am awaiting a chance to put it. Can the Minister state if any land has been allocated in the spring or is the 345 acres he mentioned not being divided until October-November of this year.
(Cavan): I am confident it will all be divided before 31st December this year.
Is there any being allocated in the spring?
(Cavan): I do not think so.
Will it all be let then for the following six or eight months?
(Cavan): I assume it will. I was not asked that question but, if the proposals are to divide it in the autumn, it will be let between now and the autumn.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.