asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Brownshill and Oak Park estates, County Carlow, for division among the small landowners of the district, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Carlow Estates.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the lands of Brownshill.
In the case of Oak Park the Land Commission have no proceedings current; the lands there, however, are under consideration but I am unable to say what the outcome of that consideration may be.
Is the Minister aware that in these two cases a foreigner has come in and purchased those two large estates, that at the same time there are quite a number of uneconomic smallholdings in the district and that the members of the families from them have to emigrate to get employment?
The Deputy is making a speech.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware that the sons and daughters of these smallholders have to emigrate to get employment and if he is satisfied that the inaction of the Land Commission in this case is in keeping with the policy of the Government as far as land division is concerned?
I have already stated that the question of the lands in Oak Park is under consideration. I am not going to say anything more until the Land Commission makes its decision.
I should like to ask the Minister, who has spent a lot of time addressing chambers of commerce over the country, if he would come down to Carlow and explain the position to the smallholders because they cannot realise that the Government will not take action in this matter?
The Deputy is making a speech.
Having regard to the unusual and special circumstances of this case, which is not the usual type, if the Land Commission cannot deal speedily with it, will the Minister give consideration to introducing special legislation to deal with it?
That is a separate question.
Would the Minister consider coming down to Carlow?