I gave notice that I would raise the matter of the congestion that exists in the Ballinrobe district. My reason for raising this matter now is due to the answer that I received yesterday from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands and Fisheries. I refer to his reply to Question No. 11 on the Orders of the Day yesterday. In the course of his reply, the Parliamentary Secretary stated that no congestion existed in the townlands of Kilkeeran, Cloonliffen and Cloneagh. I have here a list of the small holdings in one of the townlands in that area, that is, in Cloonliffen, and I will read it for the House. The first is the holding of Tom Cusack, who has land in fifteen divisions. Before I go any further, I wish to say that the highest rental does not go beyond £5, and the total amount of land in the possession of any individual is small. Here are the other holdings: Tom Madden, who has his land in 14 divisions; W. Killeen, 17 divisions; Michael Madden, 12 divisions; Pat Hession, 16 divisions; John Walsh, 22 divisions; B. Madden, 11 divisions; B. Killeen, 14 divisions; Kate Hogan, 9 divisions, and B. Feerick, 17 divisions.
I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to tell us why he stated that no congestion exists in that area. Why did he say that the tenants have refused to accept land, or why did he make the implication that they refused all reasonable efforts made by the Land Commission in the striping of this land? The Parliamentary Secretary did not state for what reason the tenants refused to sign the purchase agreements, but he practically stated, in the course of his reply, that nothing would be done for those tenants, and that their cases would not get any attention. Would it be true to say that one of the tenants was refused any addition of land because it was thought that a relative of his would leave him another small farm? This happened about ten years ago, and the relative from whom he was supposed to get the farm has not yet died. The case in this particular area is very typical of the state of affairs on a lot of estates throughout the County Mayo. The Land Commission have had several estates on their hands for years, and nothing has been done with them. The tenants have not had their lands vested, the congested problem has not been dealt with, and no attempt is being made to meet the needs of the people. I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to answer straightforwardly why these lands have not been dealt with. Why has an exception been made in this particular district, while most of the portions of the Knox Estate in other districts have been, or are being, dealt with? Is the statement I have made about the W. Killeen case true? The statement I have made about that case was that he was refused land on the grounds that the relative from whom he is supposed to get another holding is still alive. This reason was given ten years ago. I am happy to say that there is no immediate reason to think that this man will not live for another ten years. I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to tell us why he should say that no congestion exists in that area when I have read out such a list of appalling conditions.