asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission propose to acquire the lands of Mr. Grange, Cloneygowan, Offaly; what steps have been already taken for that purpose, and if a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Estates in Leix and Offaly.
Mr. Boland
The Deputy's question appears to refer to the estate of the representatives of George Grange. The Land Commission have had an inspection made of the lands of Sranure on this estate, and the question of their acquisition is under consideration. At the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state whether and when the lands may be acquired and divided.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission intend to acquire the lands of Mr. Young, Brockley Park, Stradbally, County Leix; what steps have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have had under consideration the question of the acquisition of the lands of Brockley Park and Garrons, in the occupation of Mr. John W. Young, and decided not to proceed further in the matter at present, having regard to the circumstances of the case.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission propose to acquire the lands of Mr. Hyland, Coolbally, Ballycolla, County Leix; and, if so, whether a division scheme will be put into operation before the end of this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission are having an inspection made to ascertain the suitability for their purposes of the lands of Coolbally in the occupation of Mr. Patrick Hyland, but at the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state whether or when the lands may be acquired and divided.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission intend to acquire the lands of Mr. Kenny, Rossdarragh, Rathdowney, County Leix; what steps have been already taken for this purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation before the end of this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the lands of Rossdarragh and Cappalinnan, on the Kenny estate, but at the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state when the lands, if acquired, will be divided.
Has any offer been made to the landlord in this case?
Mr. Boland
There was a provisional list published in Iris Oifigiúil on the 30th April, 1937, but the owner has up to the 19th May to object. We cannot, therefore, make any further progress as yet.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission intend to acquire the lands of Mr. Weld, Downshire, Edenderry, County Offaly; what steps, if any, have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation before the end of this year.
Mr. Boland
The Deputy's question appears to refer to the lands of Edenderry, in the occupation of Mrs. Martha A. Weld. The Land Commission are having an inspection made to ascertain the suitability for their purposes of these lands, but at the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state whether or when the lands may be acquired and divided.
Are the Commissioners waiting until the land is sold by private treaty? This is a matter that has been under consideration for three or four years.
Mr. Boland
There are many other things under consideration also. The Land Commission have a great deal of work to do, and they cannot do it all together.
They are going very slowly.
Mr. Boland
Very quickly, I think.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the cause of the delay in acquiring and dividing the lands of Lord Castletown, Grantstown, Ballacolla, County Leix, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation during the present year.
Mr. Boland
There has been no change in the position in this case since the 24th February, the date of the Deputy's last question on the matter.
Is the Minister aware that this case has been under consideration for the last ten years, and that, shortly after the election of the present Government, a distinguished Deputy of that Party promised that it would be divided immediately after this Government would be returned?
Mr. Boland
The Deputy, I presume, is not going to hold me responsible for that.
I think I should.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission propose to acquire the Dooley estate, Graigue, County Leix; what steps have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
Notice of intention to apply to the Appeal Tribunal for leave to resume the holding of Thomas Ryan (formerly in the occupation of Bridget Dooley), containing 188a. 2r. 36p., at Graiguemutton, on the Ridgeway estate, was served on the tenant on the 25th January, 1937, and proceedings will be instituted as soon as possible for an order authorising resumption of the lands. At the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to say whether a scheme for the division of the lands may be put into operation this year.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state if the Land Commission propose to acquire and divide the bogs at Coolnareen, Cloncourse, Moonbawn, Clonenagh, etc., on the Coote and other estates, Mountrath, County Leix; what steps have been already taken for this purpose, and if and when division schemes are likely to be put into operation.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission are having an inspection made to ascertain the suitability for their purposes of the untenanted lands on the present of Sir R.A. Coote, but at the present stage of the proceedings it is not possible to state whether or when the lands may be acquired and divided.
What about the bogs?
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the Minchin estate, Busherstown, Moneygall, Offaly; what steps, if any, have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have had the lands of Busherstown, on the Minchin estate, inspected, and the question of acquisition of a portion thereof is under consideration.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission intend to acquire the Wallace estate, Shinrone, Offaly (Record No. N/4091); what steps, if any, have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have under inquiry the estate of Richard Wallace, lands of Shinrone and others, but it is not possible to state at present whether the lands may be found suitable for acquisition and division.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission intend to acquire the McCann estate, Shinrone, Offaly (Record No. N/5228); what steps, if any, have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
The Deputy's question appears to refer to the lands of Rutland, Clonbrennan, Clyduff and Miltown, in the occupation of Mrs. Nora McCann and Miss N. B. McCann. The Land Commission have these lands under inquiry, but it is not possible to state at present whether they may be found suitable for acquisition and division.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission intend to acquire the White Spunner estate, Shinrone, Offaly (Record No. S/1617); what steps, if any, have been already taken for that purpose, and whether a division scheme will be put into operation this year.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the untenanted lands of Keelogue, on the White Spunner estate, but until a scheme for the division of these lands has been completed and settled, it is not possible to say when the lands will be divided.
Would the Minister consider the possibility, or the advisability, of authorising payment of overtime to the indoor staff of the Land Commission, so that they might be able to deal with these matters in a reasonable time?
That is a separate question.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission are doing their work very well, as the Deputy is aware.