asked the Minister for Lands the position regarding the Frank Cunniffe estate, Corgary, Menlough, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Estates.
20.
I am not entirely sure what information the Deputy is seeking.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this property. Any other current dealings in respect of it must be regarded as confidential as between the Land Commission and the owner.
21.
asked the Minister for Lands the position regarding the Crehan estate, Castlebellow, County Galway.
A comprehensive scheme of division of the Crehan estate and other lands in the locality, aggregating 380 acres, was approved and the bulk of this area was allotted to local smallholders within the past month.
The balance, consisting of some isolated plots, will be allocated as soon as the necessary fencing has been completed.
22.
asked the Minister for Lands the position regarding the Coppinger estate, Corbally, Cummer, County Galway; if any part of it has been sold: and if representations were received from local landholders to have this estate acquired for division.
An application for consent to the subdivision of the holding referred to in the question was granted by the Land Commission last year; this authorised the sale of 17 acres to a breeder of Connemara ponies. Representations were subsequently received on behalf of some local smallholders, urging that part of the holding be acquired.
When application was made for the subdivision of this holding of land, did not the local people who were seeking land approach the Land Commission with a view to the Land Commission acquiring this land?
I do not know at what stage the approach was made. The only information I have is that the consent for subdivision issued on 29th August last year.
This land was offered for sale. Part of the holding was sold. The local people approached the Land Commission with a view to the Land Commission acquiring it because there are very small holders in that area. From information I have received from these small land holders, on whose behalf I speak, the Land Commission allowed an individual in that area, who was neither short of land nor of money, to buy this valuable piece of ground whereas, if the Land Commission had followed their stated policy, they would have acquired this land and given it to people in the area.
My information is that the consent issued in August of last year and that representations on behalf of the local smallholders were not made until subsequent to that date. My information also is that the person who purchased 17 acres had only two acres of his own and that it was taken into consideration that he intended to carry on a business as a breeder of Connemara ponies.
I would ask the Minister to have another look at this and he will find out that the individual who purchased it had a lot more than two acres of land.
The Deputy will appreciate that having already given consent last year they will presumably have to give a reasonable chance to the purchaser to prove himself.
In view of the fact that it is Fianna Fáil policy that every man should get 45 acres of land how does the Minister think these people will fare under the present set-up?
That is a separate question.
The aim of the policy is that everybody interested in farming should have 45 acres. If the Deputy can produce the land for us to do that we will be grateful.
The Minister promised to produce it himself.
It is on the other side of the Border.
Is the Minister aware that land prices in this area have increased considerably in recent years and that the Land Commission find it impossible to compete with private buyers and, because of this, it is impossible for the Land Commission to contribute in any way towards the relief of congestion in this area?
I am very well aware of the situation in regard to the price of land and I appreciate the point made by the Deputy.
Question No. 23.
Is the Minister doing anything about it?
I am answering question No. 23.