asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will request the Land Commission to divide the O'Connor and Martyn Estates, Ballindereen, County Galway, amongst local farmers; and if he will ensure that land given to a person in USA will be made available to local farmers.
Written Answers. - County Galway Estate.
544.
These estates were divided in April 1983, in conjunction with a scheme for rearrangement of some adjoining fragmented smallholdings. The successful operation of this rearrangement required the inclusion of lands owned by a person resident in the USA and he agreed to surrender part of his holding in exchange for a parcel of land of equal value. The involvement of this person in the allocation proposals ensured, therefore, that a better scheme of restructuring was achieved without any reduction in the net amount of land available to the Land Commission for division.