asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the Land Commission, in purchasing as untenanted land an area of 742 acres 3 roods and 3 perches, in the townland of Alleendarra West (estate of John A. Lewis, Co. Galway; Record No. S. 1990), took into account the fact that ten tenants in the above townland are the rated occupiers of that area, and have a right of turbary there, and also the exclusive right to the grazing of that area as part of their holdings; and further, to ask the Minister if he will state what other interests the landlord had for sale in that area, the price being paid to the landlord for it, and how and by whom such price is to be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Co. Galway Lands.
In offering a price to the owner, which has been accepted, for his fee-simple interest in the untenanted lands on his estate, the Land Commission were aware that tenants on the townland of Alleendarra West held rights of turbary and grazing on the part of the untenanted lands of Alleendarra West returned by the above owner as in his occupation. The offer for the untenanted lands, comprising some 3,500 acres, was made as a whole and was not apportioned as between the various townlands. If the Deputy will refer to the final list of tenanted lands on this estate published in "Iris Oifigiúil" on 25th January, 1929, he will see that on the vesting of the tenants' holdings on 8th February, 1929, in the Land Commission, and the re-vesting of the holdings in the tenants on the same date, there were vested in these tenants with their holdings the rights of turbary and grazing as heretofore exercised on Alleendarra West.
Tomás Mac Giolla Phóil
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is aware that thirteen tenants on the Maguire estate, situated at Knock, Milltown, Co. Galway, have not yet been vested in their holdings; that although the estate was purchased under the Wyndham Act of 1903 at 3¼ per cent. interest on purchase money, the tenants have been charged for the past twenty-one years at the rate of 4 per cent.; and, if so, whether he will state the reasons for the delay in vesting and the high charges paid by the tenants, and further, if he will now consider the question of refunding the over-payments made by the tenants in the past twenty-one years.
The estate of C.M. Maguire, County Galway, comprising the townlands of Knockballyvisteal and Gerrauns was purchased by the late Congested Districts Board. The tenants are paying interest in lieu of rent calculated at 4 per cent. on purchase moneys of their holdings in accordance with an agreement entered into by them prior to the purchase of the estate by the Board.
The resale of the estate was delayed to a great extent by the destruction of documents in the Four Courts fire, but arrangements for resale have recently been completed and the issue of purchase agreements is being expedited in order that the tenants may have their holdings vested in them subject to the Land Purchase Annuities at 3¼ per cent.
The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.