asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the present position concerning repeated applications on behalf of local people for the acquisition and division by the Land Commission of the estate of Captain Bennett, Clareen, County Offaly, whether the inspector's report has yet been received in this case and whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring these lands for the relief of congestion in that area; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Offaly Estates.
The applications on behalf of local people have been noted for consideration in the event of this estate being acquired. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the answers are in the negative.
Will the Minister be prepared to receive a deputation in this connection to discuss the matter?
I will put that to the Minister.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the commissioners have yet acquired possession of the estate of Lord Decies at Kinnity, County Offaly; and, if not, if he will state the cause of the delay in doing so and give the total acreage of arable land on this estate which will be available for the relief of congestion in the area.
The Land Commission have not acquired this estate. They are having inquiries made to ascertain if any portion of it is suitable and likely to become available for their purposes. There has been no avoidable delay.
Is it not a fact that the estate was actually signed over provisionally to the Land Commission several months ago? What is the cause of the delay in taking possession of these lands? Is it the usual legal quibble?
It is not a quibble. I do not think the Deputy is quite right.