To ask the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that Lord Greville, who is the owner of the town of Mullingar, which includes the Fair Green and Market House, and retains the right of collecting the tolls of fairs and markets, is about to sell same; and whether, owing to some old Act of the British Government the Town Council are prevented the right to buy; and will he state on behalf of the Government of Dáil Eireann that they will give the Mullingar Town Commissioners the right to purchase the tolls of fairs and markets, same to be utilised by the Commissioners for town improvements, which include light and water works, sanitation, and will mean a huge saving to the ratepayers of the town mentioned.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - MULLINGAR FAIR AND MARKET TOLLS.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
I have no information to the effect that Lord Greville is about to sell the rights of collecting the tolls of fairs and markets of the town of Mullingar. Under Section 103 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, the Town Commissioners are enabled to purchase private rights in markets and tolls for the purpose of establishing a market, but they can only do so with the consent of the person whose rights they propose to purchase. The powers of purchase conferred by this section do not authorise the purchase of a fair, nor can the Town Commissioners be invested at present with urban powers for that particular purpose under Section 104 of the Act of 1878. This matter will, however, receive consideration in forthcoming legislation on Local Government.