asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if it is a fact that the delay in opening the limestone quarries in Gneeveguilla, Rathmore, Kerry, is due to the failure on the part of the Irish Land Commission to provide a suitable holding for Mrs. Cronin, Quarry Cross, Gneeveguilla, on whose lands the quarries are situate, and if he is aware that residence on said lands would be impossible owing to quarry blasting operations; (b) if Mr. James Kelleher, Gleanriskeen, Rathmore, is seeking, through the Department, an exchange of lands; (c) and if Mrs. Cronin, at the request of the Irish Land Commission, has written offering acceptance of Kelleher's farm; (d) and if the Land Commission will now provide suitable accommodation for Mrs. Cronin, and incidentally assist the opening of these important quarries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rathmore Quarries (Co. Kerry).
The limestone quarry at Gneeveguilla referred to was conveyed by Lord Kenmare to trustees on behalf of tenant purchasers and tenants on his estates. It is situated on the holding of John P. Cronin at Tooreenamult, Rathmore. It was represented to the Land Commission some time ago by the trustees that, owing to the proximity of Cronin's house to the quarry, they were unable to carry on quarrying operations. The Land Commission stated they would do what they could to facilitate the re-opening of the quarry, but as Cronin had not purchased his holding under any of the Land Purchase Acts they were not in a position to take any action in the matter until the lands were returned by the landlord as coming under the provisions of the Land Act, 1923. After repeated applications by the Land Commission the lands were so returned in February last, and with a view to expediting the resumption of quarrying operations the Land Commission decided to deal with the estate at once, but it will take some time to complete the proceedings for the purchase of the lands under the Act.
The Land Commission did offer Mrs. Cronin an alternative holding in Offaly, but she refused to accept it, and they then proposed to build her a new dwellinghouse away from the quarry on the existing holding, but she was not satisfied with that proposal either. The Land Commission have been informed by another party that James Kelleher was willing to exchange his holding at Gleanriskeen for another elsewhere, and it was suggested that Mrs. Cronin should be given Kelleher's holding, but they have not received any communication from either Mrs. Cronin or Kelleher. The matter will, however, be investigated immediately in connection with the sale proceedings.