asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission has decided to allocate the Travers estate at Coologmartin, Donadea, County Kildare, and the Burke estate at Eadestown, Naas, County Kildare to needy small holders in these areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Estates.
43.
Cavan): Some 86 acres of the Travers estate and 35 acres of the Burke estate have already been allotted. I understand that arrangements for the disposal of the balance of the two estates—75 acres and 65 acres respectively—are being pushed forward as quickly as possible. In each case the remaining lands are intended for an allottee who will surrender his existing holding for the relief of congestion in his area.
The Minister did not make it quite clear to me whether or not the smallholders in Kildare are being accommodated in this case. I have a feeling they are not.
(Cavan): In regard to the Travers estate, the estate consisted of 168 acres of which 86 acres have already been allotted as follows: an enlargement for three smallholders, 67 acres 3 roods 32 perches, extra for three cottiers 9 acres 1 rood 14 perches and an exchange which resulted in another smallholder receiving 8 acres 3 roods 34 perches. The balance of 75 acres was approved of as an over standard migrants holding in 1971.
Is the Minister aware that a problem exists in the area of Gilltown, Donadea, County Kildare of the Land Commission's own making and that the failure to correct this particular problem which they created is to be deplored? The fact that the Minister now informs me that it is proposed to give this holding to a migrant means that he, too, is washing his hands in a Pilate-like fashion of this particular problem.
This is a rather long question.
It is a very important matter for the smallholder.
All the questions on the Order Paper are very important for the Chair.
Would the Minister not agree that the introduction of further migrants into Kildare in this area can only tend to magnify the problem that already exists and antagonise the smallholders who now see no hope of the Land Commission ever making their smallholdings viable?
(Cavan): In reply to the Deputy's statement, I have pointed out that 67 acres 3 roods and 32 perches of this land were already allocated to three smallholdings. The remaining 75 acres were approved of as a migrant holding as far back as 1971. Before I assumed charge of the Department of Lands the allocation of this 75 acres was in an advanced state.
Could I ask the Minister——
The Deputy has had a number of long supplementaries to this question. I cannot allow a debate to develop on the matter.
I will be very brief. I have raised this matter in the House and also by letter on a number of occasions. Would the Minister look into the fact that a certain person who was allocated a Land Commission holding years ago has been placed in a very wrong position by the Land Commission? I have pointed out that it is up to them to improve this position. Would the Minister now look at this question again and see if he can improve the position that has been created by the Land Commission?
(Cavan): The Deputy will appreciate that the final decision rests with the Commissioners. If the Deputy will supply the information which he appears to have it will certainly be looked into.