asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state the reasons why the applications of the following small holders or congests for parcels of land on the Browne estate, Breaghwy, Castlebar, have been refused, viz.:— Michael Loftus, Ballinooash; Michael Caulfield, Ballinooash; James Howley, Lognavodogue; Edward Mullaney, Lognavodogue; Ellen Callaghan, Cappavicar; Ellen Mongan, Cappavicar; John Quigley, Lognavodogue; Pat Fox, Corheens; and Patrick Clarke, Ballinooash; and further, whether the Land Commission intend to take any steps to provide these tenants with parcels of land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Co. Mayo Estates.
The Commissioners in the exercise of their discretion have divided the lands situate on the estate of Major D. S. Browne to the best advantage, having regard to the number and circumstances of the applicants and to the area of land available for distribution. It was not found possible to provide the applicants referred to in the question with allotments.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that it was fair to give land to an unmarried ex-R.I.C. sergeant with a pension of about £5 a week, and to allot him thirty acres? Land was also given. to another ex-policeman with a pension of about £4 a week. He got forty-six acres, and his mother also has a holding. Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that the Commissioners are acting in their discretion in doing these things—that it was a fair or just thing to do? Further, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the applicants, Ellen Monaghan, had to put some of her children into a home and give her other children to neighbours so that she might leave the country to earn her living? On a previous occasion the Parliamentary Secretary——
May I point out that the Deputy has already asked three questions concerning this matter and he got the same answer on each occasion? Moreover, it has already been discussed on the Motion for the Adjournment. It seems to be waste of time.
I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary that I will keep bringing this case before the public until something is done to rectify the injustice that has been perpetrated. I made an application for a woman in Carnacon who has eight children, but she was refused land on the ground that her husband was a carpenter, while the Land Commission gives land to an unmarried ex-R.I.C. sergeant with a pension of about £5 a week.
This matter has been discussed over and over again. I wrote to the Deputy and explained the reasons why these people got land, and why the parties in whom he is interested did not get land.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state——
These are some of the people whom the Deputy recommended for allotments:—Michael Loftus, poor law valuation, £8 5s., no family; Michael Caulfield, who is in a mental hospital; James Healy, Edward Mulally and John Quigley, from whom no applications were received, and who reside three or four miles from the estate; Ellen Callaghan, from whom no application was received, and in any event, as she lives a distance from the estate, her claim could not be considered. The Deputy mentioned the fact that a police sergeant got land. The Deputy must be aware that that sergeant gave land in exchange, and was entitled to get an allotment. Another ex-R.I.C. man got a portion of land in order to give a right of way. I have looked into this scheme, as the Deputy is aware, and I am satisfied that it is fair, and that the Commissioners could not have acted otherwise than they did.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state whether the scheme was fair and just? Was it fair or just to give a police sergeant thirty acres where there are so many small holders?
Certainly, when land was given in exchange. You cannot confiscate land.
A woman who resides four miles away was refused land on the ground that her husband is a carpenter. She has eight children. Is that fair and just? Another man was refused land on the ground that he is a blacksmith. If he were a police sergeant with £5 a week pension, I suppose he would have got land.
The plantation policy is still going on.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state whether the applications of these people will be considered?
There is no land available.
They do not count. They are the mere Irish.
The local secretary of Cumann na nGaedheal, who was in a very affluent position, also got land.
A Deputy
How many children had he?
Two.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state if any decision has been come to with reference to the division of the lands known as Dillons, Carrowenedan Farm, Tulrahan, Bally-haunis, amongst the local congests; whether he will further state if preparations were being made six months ago for the division of these lands, and what were the reasons for the postponement of said division.
The Commissioners expect to be in a position to divide the lands referred to very shortly.