asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if the Irish Land Commission are taking any, and, if so, what action, to acquire and divide the 543 non-resident acres of Mr. Nicholas J. Green, at Lattin East and Ballina-glerach, the owner of which lives on another holding of 600 statute acres; if he is aware that an agitation for the division of these lands has been going on for upwards of seven years, and that the Irish Land Commission promised nearly five years ago to proceed with the division; and whether he is aware that for some years the lands have been grazed in the main by the cattle of a rancher and cattle dealer, and that there is not a sod of tillage or a milch cow thereon; if he is aware that within a two mile radius there are about 100 families (500 people) living on about 800 acres of much worse land, and that many of these are the immediate representatives of people cleared off the Green Ranch; what steps he proposes to take to expedite division of these ranch lands.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Green Estate (Tipperary).
The Deputy has been already fully informed of the action taken by the Land Commission with regard to the two holdings of Nicholas J. Green, containing a total area of 543a. 0r. 31p., in the townlands of Ballynagleragh and Lattin East on the Moore Estate, which is the subject of purchase proceedings under the Land Acts, 1923-9. In view of the local conditions, these holdings were specially dealt with by the Land Commission. They have been published in a Provisional List of lands which will vest in the Land Commission on the Appointed Day, and have been inspected and valued with a view to their retention and possible resumption. The matter will be considered by the Land Commission as expeditiously as possible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Mr. Green is a cattle dealer and a rancher also, and that he has taken eleven months' grass in other places, and will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether this thing will be allowed to be carried on? If it is allowed it will be a scandal.
The Deputy, apparently, does not understand my answer. I made it perfectly clear that the Land Commission proposed to resume those lands for the relief of congestion. The lands have been inspected and valued, and the matter is being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that every possible pressure has been brought to bear on the Land Commission for a number of years in order to get them to carry out the division of these lands? That pressure has been going on for the last five years. Will the Parliamentary Secretary give us any information as to when he expects to take over the lands and have them divided?
I cannot give any further information.
Is there any other District Justice in Tipperary who wants land?