asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of his reply to my question on the 5th August, 1953, to the effect that the Land Commission had instituted proceedings for the acquisition of the White estate, Lisenisky, Toomevara, County Tipperary, for division amongst the local uneconomic holders in the area, he will indicate the circumstances under which the lands in question were recently purchased by a private person.

The White estate at Lisenisky, Toomevara, was sold early this year before the Land Commission had it inspected.When proceedings were instituted for its acquisition the purchaser objected. His objection was allowed by the commissioners at the hearing which took place last month and the acquisition proceedings have accordingly terminated.

asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have considered the propriety of taking steps to acquire the lands of Kilcumahanemore, Ballingarry, Roscrea, County Tipperary, for division amongst the uneconomic holders and landless applicants in the area; and, if so, with what result.

The Land Commission considered the feasibility of acquiring lands at Kilcumahanemore but after full investigation they decided to take no further action.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when the Land Commission will divide the land at Knockinroe, Templemore, County Tipperary, and if the division of this land amongst the local applicants will take place during the present year.

It is not possible at present to say when the lands at Knockinroe, Templemore, County Tipperary, will be divided but there will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the present stage of the Land Commission proceedings relating to the Bowes Daly estate at Dunsandle, near Loughrea, County Galway.

The Land Commission have made an offer for the purchase of these lands.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have decided to acquire the Burke estate lands of Hillswood (Record No. S. 666/29), County Galway, having regard to the fact that the owner's objection was disallowed by the Land Commission Court 12 years ago.

It is hoped to take possession of part of the holding ofWilliam and Francis Burke at Hillswood, County Galway, during the current year.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have yet acquired the Roger O'Shaughnessy lands at Moyveela and Ballymana, near Athenry, County Galway; and, if so, when it is proposed to allot them for the relief of congestion in that area.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the estate of Roger Shaughnessy, Record No. S.20212, in the townland of Moyveela. The Land Commission have withdrawn from the proceedings for that estate, as they considered it inexpedient to proceed with its acquisition.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission are now prepared to reconsider the question of the acquisition of the non-residential holding situated in Glen and Tully, County Roscommon, at present in the possession of Mr. J. Glancy.

The Land Commission recently reconsidered this matter and decided to take no further action for the present.

Is the Minister aware that in this particular case the lands in question are still being let to a very large farmer in the locality and that there is quite a number of small congested holdings in the area? The people living in these holdings are anxious to get acreage for tillage purposes and until this particular farm is divided their needs in respect of tillage cannot be met. Would the Minister, under these circumstances, ask the Land Commission to reconsider the matter in the next 12 months?

Yes. I have no objection at any time to asking them to reconsider a matter, but may I point out to the Deputy that the matter has been considered more than once.

I know that.

During the past six months the commissioners have lookedinto it again and they must have considered all the circumstances. However, I will consider the Deputy's suggestion.

If lands are perennially let, is it not the policy of the Government, through the Land Commission, that such land should be acquired?

Yes, but in this particular case, according to a note I have received, a large portion of the land is of poor quality and would not normally be considered of much value for Land Commission purposes.

Of course you have the land rehabilitation project now, which will correct that.

At the cost of £150 an acre.

I am going to inquire into that.