asked the Minister for Lands if he will now state what steps are being taken by the Land Commission to relieve the acute congestion existing in the Ward estate, in the townland of Kilscoghagh, Crossboyne, Claremorris, where there are ten tenants whose valuations are under £3 each.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply given to the Deputy's previous question of 30th October last in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that there are in the townland to which the question refers ten tenants whose valuations are under £3 each, that there is a large farm of land, of over 400 acres, alongside these tenants which was acquired by the Land Commission in 1933 for the relief of these tenants, and that the Land Commission have left that land in the hands of a grazier ever since?

asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that acute congestion exists in the electoral divisions of Ballindine, Caraun, Crossboyne, Claremorris and Kilvine, where there are over 200 tenants whose poor law valuations are under £5 each, and if he will state if it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the lands of Castlemacgarrett, which contains over 2,000 acres for the relief of such congestion.

As the Deputy has been previously informed, the Land Commission do not propose to take any action regarding the acquisition of the lands of Castlemacgarrett, on the estate of Lord Oranmore and Browne, County Mayo.