asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state whether any representations have been made to the Irish Land Commission on behalf of the residents of the electoral division of Fanad West (Earl of Leitrim Estate), Co. Donegal, for a grant for the purpose of providing them with a suitable boat on Morass Ferry; and, if so, if he will state what consideration, if any, has been given to the matter.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Ferry Service.
No application appears to have been made to the Land Commission for a grant to provide a suitable boat on Morass Ferry. It is understood that the ferry rights at this place belong to the Earl of Leitrim and a ferry boat is run at present by private enterprise under arrangement with him. The matter has been noted for investigation when the Earl of Leitrim's Estate is being dealt with in its turn under the purchase provisions of the Land Act, 1923.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that prior to the Land Act of 1923 the ferry was kept in repair by the landlord, and that since then, as the estate has been acquired by the Land Commission, no repairs have been made to the boats, which are now in such a condition that they are not safe to use? Will the Parliamentary Secretary take into consideration, when dealing with the estate under the provisions of the Land Act of 1923, any privileges that the tenants had before that Act was passed?
The appointed day has been fixed for the estate. The ferry rights belong to the landlord. It is not clear if they will pass to the Land Commission. However that is a matter for subsequent negotiation.
Then the tenants on this part of the estate are in the position that the Land Commission will not do anything and that the landlord will not do anything because the estate has been acquired. Their position is worse as far as the ferry is concerned owing to the fact that the Land Commission has acquired the estate.
It is a question whether ferry rights could be acquired by the Land Commission. If they can, that is a matter for negotiation between the landlord and the Land Commission.
I take it that when the landlord was fixing the rents on the estate he took into consideration any privileges given the tenants.
The tenants should know that.
I think that is the case.