asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he can state if the lands of the Ards demesne, Stewart Bam estate, Co. Donegal, have been let for cropping and grazing for the season by the Irish Land Commission, and, if so, whether he can state if the letting of said lands was carried out by public auction and advertised in the ordinary way, and what was the price or amount per statute acre realised by the letting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Letting by Land Commission of Donegal Estate.
The letting of the lands of Ards demesne is proceeding. 18 acres of "soil" and 20 acres for manuring were put up for letting by public auction which was advertised by poster. The 18 acres for oats were let at rates varying from £2 18s. to £4 1s. per statute acre. No satisfactory offer was made for the land for root crops. The Land Commission are making lettings for grazing as opportunity offers, and up to the present some 252 acres have been let at rates varying from 6/- to 10/- per acre. A few acres have been let at 13/- and £1 per acre.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that those grazing fields were let, according to the feeling in the district, to favourites of the land steward, who is in the employment of the Land Commission, and that the land was not put up for public auction? There is considerable feeling in the district owing to that. I have also information of the fact that an ex-land steward, who resides within twenty miles of the estate and has a holding or a farm of considerable size, has taken fifty acres of this land for grazing, and that the people who reside in the district have not got any opportunity of acquiring the land at a public auction.
These lands, I understand, were let by public auction, and I assume that the lands were given to the highest bidder as is usual.
My information is that the grazing lands were not put up for public auction, and I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to investigate the matter.
My information is that the lands were locally let by auction and that no complaints were received by the Land Commission.
Will you investigate the matter?
Yes, I will.