asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps have been taken by the Land Commission to acquire the lands on the Kilbride estate, Portarlington, in view of the fact that a considerable portion of these lands is suitable for afforestation purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilbride Estate (Portarlington).
From the information furnished it is not possible to identify the estate in question. If the Deputy is referring to the lands of Major Chetwood-Aiken, the position is that the forestry division is negotiating for the purchase of about 300 acres.
In view of the alleged lack of information in relation not alone to this question but to other questions, would the Minister consider putting the officials of the Land Commission on overtime to search the files?
The trouble is that a Deputy asks a question about a particular farm or locality. When we search the records, we find that there has been a change of ownership and that the information supplied in the question is not sufficient.
Could you not examine the files in your own office?
That may be so. My point is that there may have been a change of ownership during the years and that we are, therefore, not sure.
The Minister did not give himself half enough power in the Land Bill.