asked the Minister for Lands the name, acreage and location of each of the holdings in County Galway held by the Land Commission at present; the dates on which these holdings were acquired; when it is proposed to allocate them; and the names of holdings divided in County Galway during each of the last five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Lands.
24.
Land Commission activities in County Galway are heavily concentrated and involve numerous estates and holdings. Many of the prosperties are of modest size and include remnants of Congested Districts Board estates, land surrendered by migrants and small residues of allotted estates. The Deputy will appreciate that the extraction of the detailed information requested would entail a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour which would not be warranted. Moreover the current season's land settlement programme, which has been gathering momentum in recent months, is now approaching its peak and will continue at this level for some weeks to come. This means that the position regarding lands take over by the Land Commission throughout the country generally is rapidly changing from day to day and the extensive information sought, if compiled as of now, would be very quickly out of date.
In the circumstances, perhaps it would meet the Deputy's requirements to know that during the past five complete financial years, a total area of approximately 37,000 acres was distributed amongst 1,980 allottees in County Galway and that it is expected that an area in the region of 7,000 acres will be alloted in the current year.
25.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have instituted any proceedings for the acquisition of the O'Flaherty holding, Wallscourt, Kilrickle, County Galway; and, if not, if he will arrange that the divisional inspector serve a section 40 notice on its owner with a view to having the holding acquired.
There are no proceedings for the acquisition of this 30 acre property. The Land Commission had the lands inspected a few years ago and decided not to move for acquisition. I understand that it is now proposed to review the matter.
26.
asked the Minister for Lands (a) whether the Smyth Estate, Cooleeny, Kilrickle, County Galway has been brought to the notice of the Land Commission for possible acquisition, and (b) whether the Land Commission propose to take preliminary steps towards having it taken over.
27.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the Hardy Estate, Dartfield, Kilrickle, County Galway consisting of 400 acres has been let for a number of years; and that the owner resides in Kildare; and if he will request the Land Commission to serve the appropriate notice of intention to acquire on the owner.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 26 and 27 together.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these two estates but inquiries are at present being made. Until such time as these are completed it is not possible to forecast what the outcome will be.
28.
asked the Minister for Lands when the statutory notice of intention to institute compulsory proceedings was served on the representatives of the Burke Estate, Ballydoogan, Loughrea, County Galway; and if he will state the present position in relation to this estate which consist of 1,000 acres.
There are no proceedings at present for the acquisition of this 900 acre property. Last year the Land Commission interested themselves in part of the lands but agree ment with the owner's representatives did not then materialise. Just now the Land Commission are considering what further action should be taken in the matter.
29.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will request the Land Commission to consider the acquisition for subdivision of the Hawkins holding, formerly Cunniffe, of Newgrove, Kilrickle, Loughrea, County Galway which has been let for the past 40 years.
There are no proceedings for the acquisition of this property but the Deputy's representations are being brought to the notice of the Land Commission.