asked the Minister for Fisheries if the Land Commission has any intention of purchasing the estate of the late Mrs. Porter, Mullaney, Burt, now in possession of Robert Edwards; further, if the Minister is aware that Edwards is a single man, who already possessed 200 acres of land, and that the seven claimants for portions of that estate are married men, one of whom, John Gallagher, has to leave his house in December, no alternative accommodation being provided.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ACQUISITION OF LANDS.
The Commissioners are aware that Mr. Robert Edwards has purchased the interest of Mrs. Porter in the lands at Burt, Co. Donegal. An inspector is at present engaged in making further inquiries in respect of these and other lands in County Donegal.
Is the Secretary aware that there are claimants to this land who have rented it and worked it for over twenty years in conacre and that they have paid more per acre in one year than Edwards paid when he bought it. Further, may I ask is it the policy of the Government to allow these men to be driven out of their houses and be forced to emigrate while the land is purchased by an unmarried man who had already 200 acres of land while these are prepared to take this land from the Land Commission?
The Deputy asked a similar question last week. The Land Commission when dealing with this matter must follow the ordinary course of procedure laid down in the Land Acts, and we are following it literally.
Can I raise this question on the adjournment?
We have already one notice on the adjournment. We will take it up after Questions.