asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he can state whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to distribute the undivided portion of the Stewart Bam Estate, Ards, Co. Donegal, amongst those applicants who have derived their livelihood in the past as labourers on the estate and for whom no provision has now been made.

A scheme for the division of the unallotted portion of the Stewart Bam Estate is at present in course of preparation and the position of the labourers formerly employed on the estate will be considered in connection therewith. Five of the labourers have been given parcels of the lands which have already been divided.

Has a guarantee of employment been given to the other eight labourers who have not got any part of the estate?

I do not know that any guarantee has been given. But all the labourers on the estate have been re-employed either by the Forestry Department or the owners of the mansion house.

Has a promise not been given that preference would be given to these labourers?

I am not aware of any such promise.