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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1924

Vol. 9 No. 21

CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - MOATE LANDS AND RELIEF OF CONGESTION.

SEAN O LAIDHIN

asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state whether the lands of Coolatore, Rosemount, Moate, consisting of 400 Irish acres, the property of Mr. Henry Upton, have been vested in the Land Commission; if he is aware that Mr. Upton is said to be about to dispose of the said lands privately, and that such a course will deprive the uneconomic holders and landless people of the district of portion of these lands; and whether, as the lands mentioned are the only lands available in the district for the relief of congestion, purchase of these lands will be expedited.

Mr. HOGAN

The reply to the first and second part of the question is in the negative. It has been pointed out in reply to somewhat similar questions by other Deputies that a change of ownership does not prevent the Land Commission from exercising its power of acquisition under the Land Act, 1923, provided the lands are needed for the purposes of the Act, and that they are lands which can be acquired under its provisions.

If the owner or the supposed owner, sells the land privately, and if there is no other land in the district for the relief of congestion will the Land Commission have power to take the land from the new owner?

Mr. HOGAN

Does the Deputy ask me where there are no other lands for the relief of congestion in the neighbourhood whether the Land Commission have power to take these lands he refers to; if that is the question, the answer is yes.

Will you?

Mr. HOGAN

That is a matter for the Land Commission and I have not discussed, and do not propose to discuss, this case specially with the Land Commission.

The Minister is, I am sure, aware of the general apprehension about these sales. Will he issue a public warning of the probable consequences to the purchasers at these sales. Which are intended to forestall the action of the Land Commission?

Mr. HOGAN

This matter has been discussed and debated, and it would not be satisfactorily dealt with by question and answer. In view of the fact that the Land Commission have the same power to acquire lands from A as from B, and in view of the other fact that it would be a very serious matter and might have serious reactions on the price of land if notices were given to the proposed purchasers that possibly the Land Commission might afterwards come in and take these lands, I do not propose to issue such notices.

Will the Minister say whether a new purchaser will get from the Land Commission the amount of money he paid?

Mr. HOGAN

I want to say, first, in order to clear the air, that the owners of land in Ireland are definitely entitled to sell and that the Land Commission has ample powers to purchase land and that they will give a price fair to the owner and the Land Commission.

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