asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a number of tenants in West Cork have applied to the Land Commission for declarations pursuant to sub-section (1) of Section 44 of the Land Act, 1931, as amended by Section 42 of the Land Act, 1933; if he is aware that notwithstanding that some of these have been lodged as far back as nine months ago no steps have been taken to deal with them, with the result that the tenants are being pressed by their landlords for the payment of rents which they find it impossible to pay, and that as the tenants are without protection until the order is made, whether steps will be taken without delay and the tenants protected from eviction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Cork Tenants.
A large number of applications under Section 44, Land Act, 1931, as amended by Section 42 of the Land Act, 1933, have been lodged in respect of lands in County Cork. These applications frequently involve questions of a complex nature which necessitate investigation, and considerable difficulty is often experienced in disposing of them. The applications which have been lodged are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.