andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of turbary inspectors in the Land Commission engaged in the subdivision of bogland in each of the past ten years; the number and date of applications for such subdivision now on hand; the approximate acreage of undivided private bogland in the country; and if he is satisfied that there are sufficient inspectors to deal with the problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Bogland Subdivision .
28.
: Information as to the acreage of undivided private bogland is not available in my Department. The Land Commission undertake the division of turbary only on lands acquired by them.
Inspectors are not, nowadays, assigned specially to this type of work but undertake it as part of their general land settlement duties. I am satisfied that existing staff is adequate to deal with the division of bogs acquired by the Land Commission. I regret that it would not be practicable to furnish details of the number and dates of applications for turbary allotments.
: Would the Minister not agree that the Land Commission have a role in relation to facilitating the voluntary division of commonages and commonages which might include turbary? It is desirable that these commonages be divided and that the Land Commission be in a position to take an active role in promoting such voluntary division between the people who have a claim. Would the Minister say if there has been a decline in the number of inspectors involved in this work over time?
: I cannot say if there has been a decline. Neither do I see immediately the function of the Land Commission in the rather specialised matter of the allotment of turbary or even in the division of commonages, which is nearly always a very tricky business. The rights that have been established in commonages require a great deal of sorting out before an equitable settlement can be arrived at. I think it is more profitable and productive for the Land Commission to concentrate on the allocation as quickly as possible of as much arable land as possible, because what we are talking about here is really farm land.