asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a large number of representations have been submitted to the commissioners during the past 15 years by hundreds of small holders, cottage tenants and landless men residing in the areas of Daingean, Edenderry, Croghan and Rhode, situated in North Offaly, for the purpose of acquiring and dividing about 2,000 acres of untenanted lands in the areas mentioned; whether he is aware that a big percentage of such land is let by the 11 months' system to graziers and other land owners, and if he will now state whether it is the intention of the commissioners to acquire and divide any; and, if so, what portion of such lands, during the coming year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Offaly Lands.
I am not in a position to give a definite answer to a question of this kind, which I suggest to the Deputy is unreasonable, especially in present conditions. If he will give me the names of particular estates, I shall have him informed whether the Land Commission have any information about them, but I cannot ask a depleted staff to undertake the considerable research necessary to ascertain what, if any, representations were made during the past 15 years in respect of vaguely defined districts and what, if any, proceedings there are at present for the acquisition and division of lands in such districts. The Land Commission are not aware of the percentage of land in the districts in question at present let for grazing; and I would remind the Deputy that the commissioners are not at the moment in a position to undertaken fresh commitments, owing to the emergency conditions.
I would suggest, further, to the Deputy that a very considerable amount of land division work has been done in Offaly during recent years. In the county as a whole the Land Commission have divided under the Land Acts, 1923-39, a total area of approximately 41,400 acres, of which some 33,200 acres were divided during the last 15 years.
In the districts to which Deputy Davin referred in his question there is a great deal of agitation for land and a very limited number of farmers——
Has the Deputy any question to ask?
I would like to know if the Minister would send down an inspector to investigate the need for land division in the area to which Deputy Davin refers?
There is no need for any inspector. The Land Commission has this information already.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the date when the first offer was made by the commissioners for that portion of the estate of Mr. Alley, situated at Knockaroo, Borris-in-Ossory, County Leix, and the date, if any, when the price was fixed or agreed; also the cause of the unusual delay in acquiring and dividing these lands.
The Land Commission communicated a price for the lands of Knockaroe and Kilcotton on the Alley estate in the first instance on the 5th March, 1925. The owner refused the price and lodged an objection to acquisition. Having heard the objection, the Land Commission on the 6th November, 1925, disallowed the objection as such, but decided not to proceed further with the matter in view of the working of the lands. After some years proceedings for the acquisition of these lands were reopened, but the owner again lodged an objection and sustained it successfully on legal and other grounds, against various proceedings instituted by the Land Commission. It was not until the enactment of the Land Act of 1939 that the way was open to the Land Commission to acquire the lands, and the owner's final objection was disallowed on the 12th June, 1941. By that time, however, the emergency conditions prevented further action for the time being, and the price for the lands has not yet been settled.
asked the Minister for Lands if he can now state whether, and, if so, when the Commissioners propose to acquire and divide the lands of Robert Bennett (Coote estate), Knockbrack, County Leix (Record No. S/5593) and if a division scheme will be put into operation during the coming year.
The Land Commission instituted proceedings for the resumption of 156 acres of the lands of Knockbrack from the tenant, Robert F. Bennett. A petition praying that the holding be not resumed without further inquiry was lodged by the tenant and the matter came before the commissioners for hearing in July, 1942, when decision was reserved for two years, which two years will not expire until next July.