Séamus Hughes
Ceist:206 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding the division of commonage (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when this division will be completed. [3235/96]
Written Answers. - Division of Commonage.
An application was received by my Department to divide the commonage in question by compulsory procedures. In November 1994 the Land Commission was informed that the objections to the division of the commonage had been withdrawn. The local Land Commission inspector then investigated the matter and discovered that one of the shareholders still objects to the division of the commonage.
The Land Commission has suspended the use of its compulsory powers in relation to commonage division pending the resolution of an appeal to the High Court against the compulsory division of another commonage in County Mayo. This is the first time that the legislation used in the compulsory division of commonage has been referred to the High Court and the Land Commission will re-assess its policy and procedures with regard to compulsory cases in the light of the judgment of the court.