asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the farm of Mr. Manus Conway, deceased (a ward of court), situate at Cloonlara, Swinford, County Mayo, has been sold by his sister, Mrs. Mary Oliver, to Mr. James McEvaddy, and that these lands are required for the relief of local congestion; and, if so, whether he will state why the sale of these lands was sanctioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief of Congestion (County Mayo).
This holding was vested on 31st October, 1947, before any question of sale was raised with the Land Commission. The permission of the Land Commission for the sale of a vested holding in one lot is not necessary and if applied for cannot be refused.
I am informed that in this townland there is a large number of holdings below standard and requiring enlargement and rearrangement. It is quite obvious that the acquisition of this holding, which has a poor law valuation of only £3 16s. 0d., would bring no significant relief to the tenants concerned, and migration out of the townland on a fairly large scale seems to be the only solution.