asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries to state whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the lands known as Lifford, Lifford Commons, and town parks, on the Knox-Pollocks Estate, adjoining the town of Lifford, County Donegal, for distribution amongst uneconomic land holders and landless men of that district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Estate.
The Land Commission do not propose to take any action at present in regard to the acquisition of the lands referred to.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the question of acquiring these lands has been under consideration for the last two years? Is he also aware that portion of these lands was purchased by large farmers and businessmen living in the Six Counties? The lands are adjoining the town of Strabane. In view of the fact I have referred to will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the question of acquiring those lands for the purpose indicated in my question?
I told the Deputy in June, 1929, that the Land Commission did not propose to take any action in the direction of acquiring these lands. These are accommodation lands for the town of Lifford. They are used by small farmers and labourers in the district, and if the Land Commission were to acquire them they would be inflicting a great injustice on the small farmers and the labourers who are now using them.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary imply that he is interested in accommodating the larger farmers and the business people of Strabane?
As I have indicated, the lands are used by small farmers and labourers mainly.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that they are used by large farmers and even one auctioneer in Strabane who has already purchased part of the holding?
No, the lands are used by small farmers and labourers.
I can give the Parliamentary Secretary the names of large farmers and businessmen in Strabane who actually purchased part of the holding since the Land Commission made its investigations.
It may have happened since the investigation. That must be only a recent development. On the occasion of our last report the lands were used by small farmers and labourers. If the Land Commission had proceeded to acquire those lands they would certainly have deprived those small tenants of the use of the land. If there was to be an economic distribution of the land the Commission would be inflicting a hardship and an injustice on the small tenants.
That only applies to the portion of the land not purchased; it does not apply to the numbers of acres that have been purchased by businessmen and large farmers in the Six Counties. Do not the provisions of the Land Act of 1923 apply to the portion of land purchased by the Six Counties farmers?
The Deputy is apparently confusing this matter with a totally different matter.
I do not think so.
Oh, yes, he is.