asked the Minister for Fisheries how much land is at present vested in the Land Commission and which has not been allotted, what use is being made of it this year, and, if let, how much has been let by public auction, how much let privately by the Land Commissioners, and what is the total loss or gain sustained by each method of letting.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AUCTION OF UNALLOTTED LAND.
Untenanted lands acquired by the Land Commission are divided as soon as possible after their acquisition. The lands acquired under the Act of 1923, but not yet divided, comprise 62,500 acres. Pending division the lands are utilised by the Land Commission to the best advantage, and generally are not let by auction, but they are let for grazing or conacre to persons in the locality for short periods, or the tenants' grazing stock is taken in. It is not possible to give the comparison asked for in the last part of the question.
It is not stated in money value what is to the best advantage in that case?
It is obviously to the best advantage of the country to give the lands to men who will become future tenants on these estates.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state whether these lands are let to the favourites of the Land Commission staff or of the Cumann na nGaedheal Party in the neighbourhood?