asked the Minister for Lands when the remainder of the Finure estate, Whitegate, County Cork will be divided; and the reason for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Estates.
14.
Some 132 acres of this estate were divided last spring and allocation of the balance—295 acres—cannot proceed pending completion of building works, which were interrupted by the cement strike. Just now I am unable to indicate when final disposal can be effected.
Why is the Minister unable to indicate now when the remainder of the estate will be disposed of?
For the reason given in the question, that due to the cement strike the building of the necessary houses and outoffices was held up. I understand that they are now almost completed but there are other questions to be decided by the Land Commission before allocation will take place and it is not now expected that this will happen before the spring of 1972.
What questions have to be decided by the Land Commission now?
The Deputy did not even wait for me to say that the very earliest these lands will be allocated will be the spring of 1972. Meantime, I do not think I am at liberty to say what these questions are that are being deliberated by the Land Commission. They concern farming activities generally in the whole area as there is a lot of land involved.
Does the Minister now say that he does not blame the lack of cement or the cement strike for the delay in the division of those estates?
Not exclusively. I did not say that, anyway. I said the building was delayed due to the cement strike. There are other questions at issue as regards the use of the land.
15.
asked the Minister for Lands the present position with regard to the French Blake estate, Mogeely, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply to his previous question on 30th April last.
Judgment on the owners' objection still stands reserved.
What period of grace is being given to the English captain to show his good intentions and to see what modernisation he carries out on the part of the estate which was willed to him?
I do not think it is proper for me to say anything further. The commissioners have the function in this matter They reserved judgment and judgment is still reserved. It would not be proper for me to go further than that.
Is it not true that about 300 acres of that estate were willed to a lady now in England who refused to take up residence in this country? Is the Minister not further aware that there are at least half a dozen small farmers there who would benefit from the division of that estate? By the action of the Land Commission now is not the Minister, in fact, favouring ranching in east Cork by English people who are not even living there?
I am not aware of this at all. I am aware that the commissioners at the court must have had all the facts and will give their judgment on their knowledge of all the facts.
When will judgment be given?
I do not know.