asked the Minister for Lands if he has received an invitation from a representative of the farmers affected by flooding in the Shannonbridge area of County Offaly to go down personally to learn of their plight at first hand; if he will accede to their request; if the Land Commission will allocate land to the affected farmers urgently; and if he will arrange to have the flooded land derated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Flooding.
4.
(Cavan): Following representations by the Deputy in September, 1974, I arranged for an inspector of the Land Commission to visit the area in question and to report on the matter. Also in December of last year a Land Commission inspector attended a meeting of the farmers concerned. Those present were mainly interested in the division of the Burns estate, containing some 107 acres, which is the only land the Land Commission have on hand in the district. The Land Commission are therefore aware of the position and I do not think that a personal visit by me would serve any useful purpose.
I am not aware of any provisions in the Land Acts which would enable the Minister for Lands to arrange for the derating of flooded land.
Apart from my representations to the Minister and the Department towards the end of last year, has the Minister received any invitation from the reverend chairman of the meeting attended by the Land Commission inspector to visit the area himself in connection with the flooding in that area?
(Cavan): I am not aware from the information I have on the file that I received any invitation other than one invitation. I do not say that positively but, subject to a check-up, I can say I did not receive any other invitation.
Is the Minister also saying that the Land Commission could not see their way to making any arrangement for the distribution of the Burns estate this spring?
(Cavan): The Burns estate will be divided as soon as possible. I do not think that the Burns estate is mentioned in the question, but I am not in a position to say when exactly it will be divided. It was discussed at the meeting convened, and when the position was explained to those present they appeared to be reasonably satisfied. There was a rumour abroad that this estate, or the greater portion of it, was being given to a migrant. It was explained to the meeting that was not the case and those attending appeared to be satisfied. It was also explained at the meeting that there were sufficient congests within the immediate vicinity of the Burns estate to absorb it and those present seemed to accept that also.