asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the great congestion which exists in the vicinity of the Jackson estate, Killooly, Mount Bolus, Tullamore, County Offaly, where for the past 50 years the local people have used this estate for grazing and tillage purposes; further, whether he is aware that recently the local people have been deprived of the land because a local farmer, who is already owner of a large farm and is unmarried, has purchased it by private treaty; and, if so, whether the Land Commission will repurchase the farm for the local people, who are willing and prepared to pay for it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grazing on Tullamore Estate.
I have been informed that there is no congestion in the vicinity of this estate which is mainly non-arable. As the Deputy was informed in reply to previous questions the Land Commission have decided not to acquire the lands.
Would the Minister be good enough to direct the attention of the Land Commission to this area and to request their sympathetic consideration for the people there in view of the fact that for over 50 years the local people have taken the Jackson estate on the conacre system and that an undertaking was given that, if the Land Commission did not divide the land, the land would be sold to local people who would be prepared to pay up to £2,000 for it? Is the Minister further aware that a local farmer has since purchased the land for £2,000 and that the conacre tenants have been evicted? Would the Minister not consider asking the Land Commission to repurchase this land——
The Deputy is developing a technique of making speeches by means of questions.
I think I am entitled to answer that question. The position is that on the 17th April, 1951, and again on the 14th November last, the Deputy was informed that the Land Commission had decided not to acquire these lands. The position now, I understand, is that the lands have been sold. The fact that the lands have been sold does not necessarily mean that I am going to accept the point of view that the Deputy is urging on me in this House. The fact that the lands have been sold does not alter the situation that, in fact, a decision had been come to and that the decision was come to in the light of the circumstances then existing. I have no evidence that the circumstances as regards the conditions of the local people have changed. The practice of putting pressure in these instances on individuals who have purchased land, whether their case be good or bad, does not commend itself to me nor does it commend itself to the Land Commission. Their attitude in these matters is that the persons who own these lands are perfectly entitled to dispose of them and I think the majority of Deputies would not countenance a situation under which pressure could be brought to bear on such people. As I have said, the matter has already been decided and the Deputy has not brought any new facts to my notice or any new evidence to show that there has been any change in the situation since last April.
Would the Minister be prepared——
Question No. 24.