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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Nov 1961

Vol. 192 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Division: Claims of Cottiers.

120.

asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will ensure that when division of land is taking place they will consider for grants of land cottiers of proven ability and agricultural background.

The claims of these applicants will continue to be fully considered by the Land Commission and provision will be made for them where practicable. I have repeatedly stated, however, that uneconomic holders and suitable displaced employees must have a first claim on any lands becoming available to the Land Commission for distribution.

May I take it that claims of cottiers will be entertained in the allotment of land in the future, that there will be no discrimination against them, that where it is shown they have an agricultural background, have the capital, the technical knowhow and skill to work a farm they will be considered?

Cottiers are always considered but in the queue for the limited amount of land available the categories I mentioned must have priority.

Would the Minister not agree that a cottier who has a dairy with ten cows, who has to buy all his grass, hay and everything else should be considered for a portion of land when an estate is divided beside him rather than somebody who is brought 100 miles to the estate?

There are very many people very well qualified to work the land of this country. The fundamental duty of my Department is to relieve congestion and clear up the backlog and until that has been done cottiers must wait.

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