asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate who made the representations to the Land Commission to withdraw from proceedings for the acquisition of the Higgins estate known as the Rusk, near Dunboyne, and now in the possession of a Mr. Galway-Greer, in view of the fact that inspectors from the Land Commission visited and took particulars from uneconomic holders in the district.

Several persons, including the then owner of the lands, made representations to the Land Commission to withdraw from the proceedings for the acquisition of this estate. It would be inadvisable and contrary to practice to disclose the names of persons who make representations to the Land Commission in particular cases. I might add that Land Commission decisions, without exception, are reached after careful consideration of all the relevant circumstances and are not influenced by representations, save in so far as such representations may disclose information of which the Land Commission were hitherto unaware.

There is no congestion in the vicinity of the lands in question.

Is the Minister aware that very unfavourable comments have been made in that particular area in regard to this transaction?

There are always unfavourable comments about the Land Commission.