asked the Minister for Lands whether the Brownshill Estate, Carlow, has been offered for sale to the Land Commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Carlow Estate.
29.
Just now I do not think that it would be in any interest, local or general, to reply to this question.
I cannot but be aware—as no doubt the Deputy is also—that there has been persistent agitation in respect of these lands; slogans and threatening notices have been exhibited in the vicinity of the lands calculated to intimidate the owner. It is the long settled policy of the Land Commission, more than once enunciated in this House by successive Governments, not to be moved to the acquisition of lands by acts of violence and intimidation. I now repeat, and I say it emphatically, that clamour and agitation cannot be allowed to dictate land acquisition.
The Land Commission in view of the prevailing agitation would be slow to consider the purchase of these lands even if they were offered voluntarily and at an acceptable price.
It is believed that the owner gives considerable employment on these and his other lands, and the displacement of these employees, some of whom might neither qualify for allotments nor readily get alternative employment, is a factor which must weigh seriously in the consideration by the Land Commission of any offer of the lands.