asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he is aware that cottage tenants living on and adjoining the Hackett Estate, Ballycumber, County Offaly, enjoyed certain turbary rights for several years previous to the recent division of that estate; if he will state why the Land Commission declined to protect the rights of such tenants in the scheme for the recent division of this estate, and whether the Commissioners will now undertake to review the recent division scheme and thereby ensure a reasonable supply of turf to all cottage tenants and others who previously enjoyed such privileges or rights.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turbary Rights on Offaly Estate.
The representations made by the Deputy regarding the division of the turbary on the Hackett Estate at Ballycumber will be considered in connection with the scheme for the division of this turbary which is at present being prepared.
Is it not a fact that the bog portion of this estate has already been divided and that the cottage tenants referred to in the question, some of whom had turbary rights on this estate for upwards of 50 years, have not been provided for? In any revision of the scheme now in operation, will the Parliamentary Secretary make provision for those who previously had turbary rights there?
I have nothing to add to the information already given.
Is it not a fact that the bog portion of the estate has been divided?
I am not in a position to state that at the moment.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary make inquiries?
Yes.