asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will take immediate action in regard to the Trench Estate, Moneygal and Ballinlough, County Offaly, which is comprised of 400 acres of mainly good arable land with some excellent woodland; if, in view of the fact that this estate is changing; hands, the Land Commission will take steps to have it acquired for division amongst the many local applicants and smallholders in the area in view of the fact that this is the last available opportunity of creating additions which would render their holdings economic; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Estate.
47.
There are no proceedings for the acquisition of those lands but I am asking the Land Commission to examine the matter.
Is the Minister aware that the owners of this estate contemplate selling it to foreigners? As this is such a large holding and as there are so many smallholders in the area, would the Minister take immediate steps to ensure that the Land Commission acquire it so that small holdings in the area may be made economic?
This is a very awkward question.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Flanagan put down the question and Deputy Cowen is asking a supplementary. I am unaware of it being bought by foreigners but certainly I will bring this to the Minister's attention. Naturally the Land Commission would have to give serious consideration to that aspect. Certainly I will bring Deputy Cowen's question to the Minister's attention.
Can the Minister say how foreigners could buy this farm in view of section 45 of the 1965 Act?
This is why I say it would be quite serious from the Minister's point of view.
Is it suggested that the Land Commission are allowing foreigners to slip through a loophole of this Act?
Deputy Cowen is being responsible about this.
I am not responsible for Deputy Cowen; I did not know the Minister was and if he is perhaps he could advise him because this is not the first time we have found foreigners buying lands with the permission of the Land Commission, even though the section excludes them from doing so.
(Interruptions.)
I am satisfied with the Minister's reply.
Of what value might this excellent woodland be to small farmers if it were divided among them.
The question refers to 400 acres of which some are excellent woodlands. I have no indication of the amount that is in that condition but it is obvious that if the Land Commission should take it over they would not be likely to reallocate the woodlands.
Is the Minister suggesting that if the Land Commission took over the estate they would assign the woodlands to the Forestry Division of the Department of Lands?
That is a possibility.
Not an unlikely possibility, I should hope.