asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission are aware of the demand that exists in the Clooneyquinn area, County Roscommon, for the allotment of land to local tenants, and, if so, if they will expedite proceedings in connection with the acquisition of the ffrench estate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
Negotiations with the owner towards the purchase of this estate were carried out by the Land Commission. These negotiations, however, proved unsuccessful, and the Land Commission do not propose to proceed further in the matter.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the total amount of land in Counties Leitrim and Sligo acquired by the Land Commission during the past two financial years, (b) how it was disposed of, (c) how much was utilised in the enlargement of small holdings in the area, (d) how many new holdings were created and the number of farmers and families settled thereon, (e) the number of applications for migratory holdings received and the total number of people involved, (f) the total area of land prepared for allotment this year and how much is available for distribution with the main purpose of relieving congestion in the area, and (g) the average size of holdings taken over, the average size of holdings allotted in return and the average land valuation in respect of both categories.
The answers to the various parts of the question are as follows:—
(a) During the two years 1954-55 and 1955-56 the Land Commission acquired or resumed a total area of 1,164 acres in Counties Leitrim and Sligo.
(b) Of this area, 602 acres have been allotted to 31st March, 1956. The preparation of schemes for the balance of 562 acres is under consideration.
(c), (d), and (g) The area of 602 acres comprised allotments totalling 584 acres to 72 local smallholders, 17 acres for forestry purposes and one acre to diocesan trustees. It was not practicable to create new holdings for migrants on these particular lands.
(e) Fourteen applications for exchange were received in connection with the disposal of these lands and the families involved comprised in all 38 members.
(f) It would not be possible at this early stage to forecast what area will be available for allotment during 1956-57.
I would point out that the allotment of 602 acres in the two years in question does not take into account allotments made in these years on estates acquired in Leitrim and Sligo prior to 1954. Such allotments totalled 1,554 acres and included 595 acres by way of enlargements to 112 local smallholders and 120 acres provided for three new migrants' holdings.
The small provision that has been made in the years in question by the Land Commission towards the enlargement of uneconomic holdings is a national disgrace. There has been agitation in respect of uneconomic holdings for well over 100 years. Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that his answer to the people concerned is that there is no hope for them, no plan? I asked him what was his plan for the future. He said, though not in so many words, that there is none. In view of that, and in justice to the community, I suggest that, in the absence of any plan on the part of the Minister for the relief of that age-long grievance, he should resign and allow somebody to take his place who will do something to alleviate that national disgrace.
Not a hope.
I take it Deputy Maguire is a little peeved by the fact that I gave him figures for work that has been done, for estates that were divided that were on hands before the two years he mentioned in his question. A total of 2,718 acres was allotted during the two years in question. The way in which the Deputy put his question was that he asked for land acquired during two particular years. We divided a lot more land that had been on hands from previous years during that period, running in all to 2,718 acres. I hold that that is not bad.
I hold——
Order!
I regret very much that the Deputy did not take this interest in the work of land division when his own Party were in power. If he had done there would not be much left for me to do.
I raised the question on many occasions. I do say this much, that, for callousness, for downright neglect——
The Deputy is not asking a supplementary question.
The Deputy is right. The callous neglect by the Deputy is absolutely astonishing. When the Deputy is out of power, he wants to do the devil and all.
Order!
When the Deputy is out of power, he wants to do everything. When he had the power, he wanted to do nothing but sit down and snore.