asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that acute congestion exists in Newtown-Clogher, Claremorris, County Mayo, and that the Land Commission have acquired certain lands on the Fitzgerald-Kenney estate to relieve this congestion, but that these lands are still in the possession of the former owner; and if he will take immediate steps to have these lands made available for the Newtown-Clogher tenants, even under temporary convenience lettings, so that they can produce sufficient food for themselves and their families during the coming year.

The Land Commission are aware of the existing congestion at Newtown-Clogher, Claremorris, County Mayo. Proceedings are in progress for the acquisition of part of the lands of Carrowkeel and Catfort on the Fitzgerald-Kenney estate (Record No. S. 7508), but the Land Commission have not yet acquired these lands. A scheme for their division will be prepared as expeditiously as possible, but until this scheme has been completed and settled it will not be possible to state when the lands will be divided.

Has any of the land on the Fitzgerald-Kenney estate in the hands of the Land Commission been let?

There is a question of letting the land under what they call temporary convenience lettings, but I am afraid that is not practicable this season because the Land Commission have given liberty to the owner to make arrangements for the user of the land for the coming year.