asked the Minister for Lands the up-to-date position regarding the proposed acquisition of the Price Estate, Dualla, Cashel, County Tipperary, which is urgently required for the relief of congestion in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Estates.
26.
The Land Commission have decided to proceed for compulsory acquisition of this 215 acre property. The owner's solicitor has been notified accordingly and the relevant statutory notices will be published at an early date.
27.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the need to acquire additional land for the relief of the many congests in the Ballypatrick, Kilcash area, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and what steps are being taken to acquire the Constable Estate, Ballypatrick, Clonmel towards this end.
Arrangements are in train to have an inspection of the 257 acre Constable estate carried out and the requisite notice under the Land Act, 1965, has been served on the owner. Until the inspection has been completed it is not possible to indicate what action may follow. Two other properties in the area are on record for inquiry. The possibility of acquiring any suitable properties which may become available for the relief of congestion in the Ballypatrick-Kilcash region will continue to be fully investigated by the Land Commission.
Is the Minister aware of the disappointment experienced by the many congests in this area due to the inordinate delay by his Department in dealing with the acquisition of the estate in question? May I take it that the serving of the notice to which he now refers is a clear indication of the intention of the Land Commission to purchase this estate and divide it without any further delay, because if this is allowed to go by the board through lack of action on the Minister's part or on the part of the Land Commission, there will be no hope left for the people concerned?
I cannot accept that there was any inordinate delay. In so far as the taking over of the estate is concerned, I cannot anticipate the decision of the Land Commission. Again, I can only say that the notice has been served and that the matter is being investigated.