asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the agent for the present occupier of the Anderson estate, Timahoe, County Laoighis has publicly stated that the Land Commission gave an assurance that these lands would not be acquired for the relief of local congestion and, if so, if he will confirm or deny the accuracy of this statement, whether he has yet received the inspector's report and if he will state the present position concerning the division of these lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Laoighis Estates.
I am aware of the statement referred to in the first part of the question and no such assurance was given by the Land Commission. As I have already informed the Deputy, the Land Commission have decided to take no action for the present regarding these lands, which have not been inspected.
asked the Minister for Lands if he has received repeated applications from tenants with turbary rights on the Coote estate, Mountrath, County Laoighis, pressing for the acquisition and division of the bogs on the estate and if he will indicate what action has been taken in the matter during the past 20 years and if and when a division scheme will be put into operation.
Representations were made for the acquisition and allotment of this bog and purchase proceedings were instituted by the Land Commission. The Land Commission have not yet been able to obtain possession of the estate due, I am informed, to claims which are being put forward by local farmers to a large portion of the lands. It is not possible to say when the estate is likely to become available for allotment. I am having further inquiries made.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have decided to allocate the vacant houses and plots on the Moore estate, Cremorgan, Timahoe, County Laoighis, to some of the many suitable local applicants willing and anxious to work them, whether these houses and plots were let by public auction or private treaty and the reasons for doing so and the average price per acre received by the Land Commission for such lands.
As I informed the Deputy on the 14th November last in reply to a question, there is only one parcel of land on the hands of the Land Commission on this estate. It is expected that the parcel will be allotted next autumn. Meanwhile it has been let by private treaty at a seasonal rent of approximately £2 4s. per statute acre. The letting was made by the Land Commission in accordance with their recognised practice, due regard being had to local requirements.
Will the Minister make inquiries as to the amount that has to be paid for conacre lettings locally and relate that to the figure received by private treaty in this case for Land Commission lands?