asked the Minister for Lands if in view of the congestion in the area, the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Cox estate, Roskeen, Geashill, County Laoighis, for division amongst the local smallholders, cottage tenants and deserving Old I.R.A. applicants; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition and Division of Lands.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands.
I am quite aware that the Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands and that it is only in recent times that application has been made to the Land Commission to inspect the lands with a view to their acquisition and division. Would the Minister undertake to have that inspection carried out and the preliminary investigation made as soon as possible?
That is not what the Deputy asked in his question. The Deputy apparently has asked for information which is already in his possession.
Will the Minister undertake to have the lands inspected?
The Deputy is long enough in this House to know that the inspection and acquisition of lands is a matter over which I have no control.
Will the Minister recommend such action to the Land Commission?
The Deputy is well aware that I have no power over the Land Commission in these matters.
That is a strange statement of the Minister.
It is not. It is the law laid down by this House as the Deputy should know after several years here.
asked the Minister for Lands if and when it is proposed to divide amongst local deserving applicants the estate at Knockaroe, Templemore, County Tipperary, of Mrs. Grace Kavanagh, who resides in New York.
Proceedings have been instituted for the acquisition of these lands, but it is not possible to state what the outcome will be.
In view of the fact that the owner of this estate resides in New York, is that not a clear indication to the Minister that the owner is not keen on holding the lands, and as there is great local congestion in the area, what steps does the Minister propose to take to ensure that the Land Commission will take immediate action in this case?
That is a matter entirely for the Land Commission.
Would the Minister direct the attention of the Land Commission to the importance of having these lands divided in view of the fact that the owner resides in New York?
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what progress has been made by the Land Commission for the subdivision of the Hughes lands at Carrowgorm, Barnaderg, County Galway.
No application for permission to subdivide has been received from a Mr. Hughes of Carrowgorm. If the Deputy has in mind the allotment of the Land Commission lands, formerly owned by a Mr. Hughes, the position is that proposals have not yet been formulated for the allotment of the lands.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission are aware of the condition of the derelict holding previously owned by a Mr. James Wynne at Feigh E., Ballyglunin (Waithman's estate, County Galway); and, if not, whether they will arrange an inspection at an early date with a view to taking it over for the relief of congestion in the area.
The Land Commission are having enquiries made in this case.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have acquired the holdings of the reps. of Michael Keavney (Jas.), Patrick Keavney and Daniel Hurley, all of Clooncon W., Glenamaddy, record No. 9716, C.D.B. list No. 106, Thomas S. Blake estate, County Galway; and, if not, what progress has been made to date.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no." Proceedings were recently instituted for the resumption of these holdings.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have as yet acquired the lands on the Patrick Mullen estate at Annaghmore (record No. S. 9926), County Galway.
The proceedings for the acquisition of these lands have not been completed.