asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the holding of Michael Tuffy, Ballyogan, Culleens, County Sligo, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
The Land Commission instituted proceedings for the acquisition of these lands but the owner lodged an objection to acquisition which was allowed subject to a certain condition. The Land Commission are allowing a reasonable time for the fulfilment of that condition.
Is the Minister aware that the owner of this land has been in continual communication about this matter and that it is over three years since they gave him two years to build a house on this holding? It is three years since they made that decision.
No, I am not aware of that.
asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission expect to be in a position to take possession of the Walker estate, Rathcarrick, County Sligo.
Proceedings for the acquisition of this estate have reached an advanced stage but it is not possible to indicate at present whether or when the lands will be acquired.
Mr. Egan
asked the Minister for Lands what progress has been made by the Land Commission towards the acquisition of the Prendergast estate, Kilmurray, County Offaly.
The Land Commission are making certain inquiries in this matter which for the present must be treated as confidential.
Mr. Egan
Would the Minister say if he has recommended the Land Commission to acquire this estate in view of the representations that have been made to him on behalf of the small-holders living close to it?
The proceedings the Land Commission have in hand are private at the moment.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Ballinoulart estate, County Wexford, and, if so, with what result.
The question of the acquisition of these lands is under consideration but a decision has not yet been reached. Extensive inquiries on the ground have been necessary.
Is the Minister aware that inquiries and references regarding this estate have been going on since 1951? Does he not consider that it is now due time to give some decision on the matter?
Is the Minister aware that the owner of this land is an American and that the people in the Maccamore areas want it divided up?
Is the Minister aware of the fact that there are 800 acres of land here going to waste and that it would be very useful if it were divided among the Wexford farmers?
Mr. Lemass
Your turn, Johnny.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission are aware of the acute congestion in the area adjacent to the Fox-Russell estate, Ballyneety, County Limerick, and that the lands on the estate are not being worked; if he will state the number of uneconomic holders in the area; further, whether the commission at one stage decided in principle to acquire the estate, and, if so, why that decision was altered.
I am informed by the Land Commission that there is no acute congestion in the vicinity of this estate and at the time of inspection last February, the lands were being worked. Other adjacent lands were divided some years ago and there are now practically no uneconomic holders in the vicinity, who have not already benefited from substantial allotments. Land division involves heavy charges on taxation and it is not the policy to give a second round of allotments to people who have already benefited. At no stage did the Land Commission decide to institute compulsory proceedings for the acquisition of this residential estate.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, which I could not hear fully, is the Minister aware that there are over 48 holders with land between five and 18 statute acres at present in this area within a mile of the estate? Surely he must classify these 48 as uneconomic holders. Is the Minister aware—I will communicate with the Minister if he thinks I am chancing my arm—that certain officials in the area had intimated to local landowners that the commission in Dublin had decided in fact to acquire the estate? Is the Minister further aware that the interested party, supporting a certain political Party, used all the influence he could to get the commission to change their decision? Will the Minister, further, guarantee, if I put the facts before him, that he will have the matter reinvestigated, please?
I am not aware nor do I believe that any member of the House interfered with the commission or attempted to interfere with the commissioners, as suggested by the Deputy.
They did that. They did.
The Deputy can furnish proof of that? It will be very interesting if he does. The Land Commission have been informed by the inspectors that there is little or no acute congestion in the immediate vicinity of this farm and have never introduced compulsory acquisition proceedings for it.
In reply to an earlier question the Minister said that it was not possible to give an exact definition of what an economic holding meant but that generally speaking it meant a holding in which a livelihood or frugal living only was being afforded to the occupant of the land. Further arising on the Minister's reply to an earlier question can the Minister say why it is not possible to give an exact definition of what an economic holding means?
I meant a man who had no other alternative means of livelihood.
Is the Minister aware that there are 48 holders in this area without any other means of livelihood and with only between five and eight statute acres between them?
That is not the information that the Land Commission has got.
They got that information from representatives of all Parties including the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
The Land Commission does not depend on Deputies or any other outside parties for information. The Land Commission has the land inspected and it is on the report of their inspections that they act. If the Deputy says that my information is not correct and that the inspectors have furnished false information I will have the matter investigated.
Will the Minister give an undertaking to reopen the matter if I give him details?
If the details are in conflict with the information I have been given I will reopen the matter.