asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will now state whether negotiations have been completed by the Land Commission with the view to the taking over for the relief of congestion of the lands of Moyvoughley, Moate, Westmeath, at present in possession of Mrs. Mary Maher, Moyvoughley, and Mrs. O'Donohue, Ballinahown Court, and, if so, if he can state when the said lands will be divided amongst the large number of uneconomic holders and landless men of the district.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ACQUISITION OF MOATE (WESTMEATH) LANDS.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
Mr. HOGAN
The lands referred to comprise a holding in the occupation of Mrs. Mary Maher as judicial tenant on the estate of Mrs. Ellen O'Donohue, for which particulars have been lodged for the purposes of the Land Act, 1923. The estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners, and it is anticipated that a provisional list of the lands which, unless a valid objection is lodged, will vest in the Land Commission on the appointed day, will be published at an early date.
Can the Minister give us any idea as to when it is likely that these lands will be taken over by the Land Commission?
Mr. HOGAN
This is a tenancy, and the Commissioners are considering whether they will or will not acquire the tenancy at the moment.
Is the Minister aware that there are over 750 acres of land occupied by this one lady, a widow with no dependents to keep, and that there are hundreds of uneconomic holdings in the district? Is the Minister aware that if the Land Commission do not take over these lands I will see that we will raise such a disturbance in the country that the Land Commission will do it pretty quickly?