asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the acute congestion in the townlands of Cullintra, Derrycannan, Killawalla, Claureen and Lenavena; that there are 28 families in above townlands trying to exist on holdings the valuations of which range from £1 to £9; and if he will state: (a) what steps he intends to take to relieve this congestion; (b) when these families may expect relief; (c) if there is land available in the vicinity for this purpose; (d) if he proposes to ease their plight by migrating them to other districts; and (e) the reasons why acquisition proceedings failed in the case of the O'Malley estate recently.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Congestion in Mayo.
The Land Commission are aware that congestion exists in the townlands of Cullentragh, Derrynacanna and Killawullaun West. There are no townlands of Claureen and Lenavena in County Mayo. The necessity for relieving congestion in this area is fully appreciated by the Land Commission but it is not at present possible to state what lands will become available for distribution or whether the situation can be relieved by the migration of tenants to other districts.
Proceedings were instituted for the acquisition of the lands of Killawullaun West, owned by Mr. Peter J. O'Malley.
The owner lodged an objection which was heard by the commissioners and was allowed.
The Minister has said that the owner, Mr. Peter J. O'Malley, lodged an objection and the objection was allowed. Will the Minister state why the objection was allowed?
That was a matter for the commissioners.
Hear, hear!
Does not the Minister realise, or is he not aware that before the court at which the case in question was tried, this Peter J. O'Malley stated that he was an old man of over 75 years of age and unmarried? He had a large farm——
On a point of order, is this House to be constituted a court of appeal?
It was decided at the court and it should not arise here.
Are we to be a court of appeal from the Land Commission?
This is my supplementary question. I would like to know is it not a part of the Land Commission's policy in the case of an old man who is a bachelor where there are congested holdings——
As the proper court decided in favour of this owner we cannot review their decision.
But we want to know why the Land Commission——
Because the law is such and this is a much wider question.
It is certainly not in order to grab our neighbour's land.
Here you have a man living on £1 or 30/- a week and not able to live——
Every emergency man in Ireland said that in his day.
Very well, let the Minister decide.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will now state when he intends to relieve congestion in the Glenisland, Castlebar, area; and if he is aware of the acute congestion existing in most of the townlands in that area.
The relief of congestion throughout the congested districts generally is proceeding as fast as present conditions permit. Attention must first be given to those areas where relief is most urgently required and to the preparation of schemes for lands now on hands. I cannot say what relief may be possible in the area referred to by the Deputy or when it may be possible for the Land Commission to consider the needs of that area.
I think that I could enlighten the Minister there. In this locality a farm of land containing something like 500 acres—not, we admit, of very good quality, but nevertheless sufficient to satisfy the congestion—was put up for sale, bought and then offered by the man who had purchased it to the commission but the commission refused to accept it.
That is not a supplementary question. The Deputy is making a speech.
I got no answer to my question and I think I could enlighten the Minister.
That is not the duty of Deputies at Question Time.
He is not looking for light.
Deputy Cogan has enlightened the Deputy, I think.
Well Mayo enlightened the Minister.
And will again.