asked the Minister for Fisheries whether permission has been given to Mrs. Ralph, Rathbrane, Stratford-on-Slaney, to sell her holding of about twenty-five acres in two lots; whether the sales have yet been ratified; if so, what are the names of the purchasers; on what grounds the Land Commission have agreed to the subdivision of a holding which had only lately been made economic by a gift of land from an estate purchased by the Commission for the relief of congestion; and if he will state the reasons why the Land Commission have refused to answer all inquiries in regard to the transaction.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - STRATFORD-ON-SLANEY HOLDING.
The lands referred to are the holding of the late John Ralph in the townland of Rathbrane, on the estate of Miss Denis, County Wicklow, which is being dealt with under the Land Act, 1923, and a parcel of untenanted land comprising 13a. 3r. 11p. of Goldenfort, allotted to him as additional land by the Land Commission on the estate acquired by them from Captain M.C. Saunders. After the death of Mr. Ralph his widow applied to the Land Commission for permission to sell the holding and the parcel of untenanted land as she was 60 years of age and unable to work the lands, and the Commissioners on consideration of the circumstances gave permission, provided the entire lands were sold in one lot to a suitable purchaser. In September last Mrs. Ralph's solicitor informed the Commissioners that it had been found impossible to sell the lands in one lot, but that a Mr. Martin Mullins was willing to purchase the holding in Rathbrane and Mr. Peter Douglas the parcel in Goldenfort. Mr. Douglas occupies lands adjoining this parcel, and the Commissioners agreed to the proposed sales, and deeds of assignment have since been lodged ratifying the purchases. The Land Commission have not refused to answer inquiries as regards the matter. The position was explained fully to the Deputy when he called at the Land Commission in the autumn, and also in a letter which was addressed to him on the 21st instant. The consent given in this case is not in conflict with the spirit of the Land Act, and I am satisfied that it was a proper one to give.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state what steps were taken to verify the statement of Mrs. Ralph's solicitors that this land could not be sold in one lot?
I assume the Deputy is interested in Mr. Mullins. Mr. Mullins got an opportunity of purchasing this parcel, and he refused to do so because there was no water on the land.
I have just asked what steps were taken to verify that statement. The Parliamentary Secretary stated that Mrs. Ralph's solicitors made that statement. I asked what steps did he take to verify it.
The statement was, at all events, verified by the Commissioners before the sale was sanctioned.
Before the sale was ratified Mr. Mullins wrote and called to the Land Commission, and I also wrote to the Land Commission on his behalf. I never had a reply to that letter until the question was handed in here. As this case indicates pretty clearly corruption in a public department, I beg to give notice that I will have the question raised on the adjournment.
I understand that it has been arranged that at 4 o'clock the Minister for Lands and Agriculture will make a statement on the present position with regard to foot-and-mouth disease.
Mr. HOGAN
Yes, at 4 o'clock, on the adjournment. The later the better.
That would have some bearing upon Deputy Moore's notice of a question upon the adjournment. If the House desires to hear the Minister on the foot-and-mouth disease question, and if the Minister desires to leave it to the last moment, I am afraid there will be little time left for Deputy Moore to raise this matter. Perhaps he would postpone his question until next week?
Very well, I am agreeable.