asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that congestion exists in the townland of Drunganagh, Manulla, County Mayo (D.G. Fitzgerald estate); if he is also aware that four tenants migrated in 1918 and one in 1939 from the said area and that the land left by those migrants is still undivided; and if he will take steps to bring about a settlement of the land question in this locality in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Congestion.
The estate of D. G. Fitzgerald, one of the former Congested District Board's large estates, comprises holdings in 38 townlands including the lands of Drunganagh. Many of the holdings are in rundale and before resale can take place a comprehensive scheme of rearrangement will be necessary. Some migration has already taken place and the vacated lands are being used by the adjoining tenants, but to effect any considerable improvement in conditions more is necessary and the Land Commission propose to migrate more tenants when suitable lands can be made available for them elsewhere. The process of migration and rearrangement is difficult and tedious and has been hampered in recent years by shortage of staff due to emergency conditions. It is not possible at present to state when the resale will be completed.
In this case, the complaint of the tenants is that the rents they have to pay in conacre to the Land Commission are far in excess of what the Land Commission would be entitled to otherwise and they are starting to complain about that. That is their real grievance. Would the Minister say if it will be possible to make any rearrangement in the coming year?
I am afraid I cannot say what the position will be in future, but until further migrations take place we cannot have a proper rearrangement of the estate.
Would the Minister state why the rents are so high for the holdings that are sublet to the remaining tenants?
I do not know. I will look into the matter.