asked the Minister for Lands if it is proposed to allocate the arable portion of the Courtown estate for the purpose for which it is most suitable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Estates.
Steps are being taken to dispose of arable or semi-arable parts of the Courtown estate, comprising in all about 77 acres. The lands will be offered for sale by public tender.
Do I understand that the Minister is not going to take the Courtown estate? If so, perhaps he would give some reasons why he is not taking it? I should like the Minister to come to Wexford, where I would be pleased to take him to Courtown and show him very suitable small-holdings there.
As there was a number of different types of land, it was considered desirable to sell them by public tender.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have decided to acquire any part of the Ballinoulart and Ballywater estate known as the White estate, County Wexford.
I have nothing further to add to my reply to the Deputy's question on 21st November last regarding this estate.
Am I to understand that the Land Commission are no longer acquiring land in County Wexford? Is there any reason why the Minister should not acquire it? Surely it is the policy of the Land Commission to acquire land?
I have already given an answer to the Deputy about this estate on a former occasion. The facts have not changed since.
The only answer I got was that it was just not proposed to take it.
The position is that under Section 24 of the 1927 Act, when the Land Commission withdraws they cannot acquire the lands within a period of seven years. If there are any proceedings to be reopened, there must be, under the same section, a voluntary offer by the owner.
But this land has been offered to the Minister.
It is not my information.
Was the withdrawal because of price?
Yes.