asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into matters affecting tenants on the Bingham Estate, Co. Mayo, who engage in the manufacture of kelp.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kelp Manufacture in Mayo.
I regret I am not yet in a position to reply to the inquiry I have received from the Deputy in this matter. The reply will depend on the conditions attaching to the Order vesting the lands to be acquired by the Land Commission in the tenants, and those conditions will depend on the precise legal rights in respect of the taking of seaweed possessed by the landlord of the Estate. I am awaiting a report on the subject by an inspector of the Land Commission.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is over a year since it was first promised to have this inquiry into the matter; that the report of the inspector was promised about a year ago, just as it has been promised to-day, and will he state when we may expect to have that report?
I am aware that inquiries have been going on for a considerable time, but I think that within a reasonable period from now the Land Commission will be able definitely to define the position of these tenants.