(An Clár) asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state how soon the Irish Land Commission proposes to acquire the lands of Corbally and Ballyhickey, Co. Clare, the property of Captain Bryan S. Mahon, and if he will state whether it is proposed to acquire all the estate for distribution or only part thereof.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Co. Clare Estate.
Pádraig O hOgáin
As the Deputy is aware the Land Commission have in hands proceedings for the acquisition of some 393 acres of these lands. I cannot name a date when the transaction will be completed. The matter of price is under consideration at the moment.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that central parts of these lands are being taken away from division—that is to say, have been purchased by people who have already good farms of land?
I am not.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary taking over the entire estate?
Yes, so far as I know.
Mr. Hogan
I want the Parliamentary Secretary to state whether the Land Commission is taking over the entire estate or portion of it.
The Land Commission, as far as I know, is taking over the whole estate.
Mr. Hogan
The reason I state that is so as not to trick the Parliamentary Secretary by a question on which he may not have information at the moment. On the 29th November he stated that the Land Commission were taking over the whole estate. On another date he stated that they were taking out certain parts. If those parts have been taken out, is it because they are being purchased by people who have already large farms?
So far as I know the estate is 400 acres in area and the Land Commission are acquiring the whole of it. If the Deputy puts down a question for some day next week it will give me an opportunity in the meantime to look up the other information which the Deputy wants.
Mr. Hogan
He stated that 155 acres are being excluded from division. I want to know if those 155 acres are being acquired. I will raise the matter subsequently if these 155 acres are being excluded.
I would prefer the Deputy to put down another question and I will get the information. So far as I know at the moment the Land Commission are acquiring the whole of the estate.