asked the Minister for Lands if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire from the trustees and divide the bogs known as the Maconchy bogs, County Longford; if he is aware that the present trustees were elected and appointed solely to have the division made, and that, if they failed to do so within three years, a further meeting of the tenants would be held to hear the trustees' report and to have new trustees appointed or the existing members of the trust confirmed; and if he will publish a copy of the rules or regulations under which the terms of this trust are to be discharged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Longford Bogs.
Bogs on the Maconchy estate, County Longford, were purchased by trustees on behalf of tenant purchasers on the estate and are held subject to the provisions of a scheme under Sections 4 and 20, Irish Land Act, 1903. Under regulations framed pursuant to Section 21 of that Act the trustees also control reserved turbary situated on a number of tenanted holdings on the estate. The Land Commission do not propose to take any action to revoke the provisions of the scheme or the regulations, or to acquire and divide the bogs. The present trustees were appointed by deed dated 21st February, 1942, to replace former trustees who had died or resigned, and to continue the administration of the trust bogs under the provisions of the scheme and regulations. The original scheme and regulations are held by the Land Commission and persons entitled to do so may obtain copies of these documents on payment of the prescribed fees.
The Minister says that the original trustees died or resigned. I have asked whether the present trustees were appointed for three years for the purpose of having the bogs divided. Has the Minister information of the circumstances under which the present trustees were appointed? I should like to know if there is any intention of giving effect to the proposal that if the bogs were not acquired within three years the existing trustees would be reappointed or, if necessary, new trustees would be appointed.
I have no information that such a proposal has ever been made. My information is that the present trustees were appointed to take the places of those who died or resigned.
I am not placing any blame on the Minister because any of them died, but the question of resignation is another matter. Do I take it that there is no intention on the part of the Land Commission to take over those bogs either now or in the future? Is that a positive decision?
No intention.