asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a large number of tenants have turf banks on the bog on the Rossfarnaghan estate, Ferbane, County Offaly; that these tenants have held these turf banks since 1940 and have paid for them since then, an arrangement which they found most convenient; that the Land Commission are now removing all these tenants from this 134 acre bog; and that most of them have no prospect of alternative turbary; and if he will now take steps to leave the tenants as they are and to continue to accept £1 per perch in respect of these banks, and thus have the matter disposed of to the satisfaction of all the tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Turbary Rights.
50.
I am not aware that the Land Commission are at present removing all the tenants who have turbary letting on Rossfarnaghan bog. The position is that the arable portion of the Greene estate comprising 153 acres was allotted by the Land Commission in 1964 and enquiries are at present being carried out on the ground preparatory to the formulation of a scheme for the balance of the property —83 acres of bog. Pending completion of these enquiries it is not feasible to indicate when a scheme will be prepared. Since the lands were taken over by the Land Commission, local demand for turbary has been and still is being catered for by means of seasonal lettings and this arrangement will be continued until such time as a scheme for the division of the bog is ready to be implemented.
51.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that 38 tenants have been notified to surrender turf banks on Ballydaly bog, Ferbane, County Offaly, which has been acquired by the Forestry Branch of his Department; and that this has caused widespread inconvenience to all the tenants who have been asked to leave this 200 acre bog; and if he will make special arrangements so that the cut away bog can all be planted and that virgin bog can be left to the tenants, so that they may acquire their own fuel supplies.
No such notification was issued by my Department. The area in question was acquired last month by the Forestry Division and the question of turbary rights and lettings is being investigated.