asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will reconsider its decision as regards the lands of Francis McCarthy, Moneen, Ardrahan, County Galway (Rec. No. U 21813) owing to the hardship which the decision will cause to a large number of tenant farmers in the area where a rearrangement scheme is very necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Lands: Land Commission Decision.
32.
Mr. Donnellan
I understand that this 56 acre holding was purchased recently by an enterprising local farmer whose existing lands are intermixed with it. Following a detailed inspection on the ground the Land Commission have decided not to institute proceedings for acquisition of the property. They are, however, examining the possibility of acquiring certain other lands in this locality for relief of congestion.
Mr. Donnellan
May I ask the Minister to request the Land Commission again to reconsider their decision in this case? The 14 tenants involved and the Minister are just as enterprising as the man who purchased the land. If the Minister allows the decision to go through, seven of the 14 tenants will have to emigrate. I would ask the Minister, believing in him as I do, to ask the Land Commission to reconsider their decision.
The information the Land Commission have conveyed to me in this case is that the person who purchased these lands is a small farmer whose own lands were intermixed with the land which he purchased; that he is a young married man with five in family, and that his valuation is only £23. In these circumstances, I can understand why the Land Commission decided not to proceed further with the matter.
Mr. Donnellan
I wonder would the Minister consider the seven tenants who were not able to purchase ?
I have already said that the Land Commission are examining whether they can get any further lands in the area to try to relieve the position to which the Deputy has referred.
Question No. 33.
Mr. Donnellan
I want to ask the Minister will he consider the seven tenants who are hemmed in?
The Deputy has already asked that question. He may not repeat himself.
Mr. Donnellan
I received no reply.
That is not a matter for the Chair. The Deputy has two more questions to follow.
Mr. Donnellan
I want to know if the Minister will consider whether it would be better to migrate those seven tenants from that place?
The Deputy's suggestion about migration will be conveyed by me to the Land Commission.
Mr. Donnellan
That will be a long time coming.