asked the Minister for Lands what is the present position in regard to the Land Commission proceedings to acquire the Glen and Tully estate, County Roscommon.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this estate.

Would the Minister state whether he brought to the notice of the Land Commission the previous comments made here in connection with this farm of land?

I did.

Is the Minister seriously suggesting now that the Land Commission have failed to take note of the situation in this area? This happens to be a non-residential holding owned by a man who lives 80 miles away; he has failed to carry out the guarantees he gave the Land Commission with regard to the use to be made of this property. In view of his failure to carry out his promise to the Land Commission would the Minister not agree——

The Deputy is making a speech now. He is not asking a question.

——that this farm should be acquired in order to bring up to an economic level the small holders living in the vicinity of this farm?

First of all, the Deputy has been told time and time again here that it is not the Minister's function under the laws passed by this House to take over land; and, whether the Minister agrees or disagrees, it is not a matter for him once the law takes it out of his hands. Secondly, if there is congestion in the locality, and I do not deny there is, the acquisition of this farm it not the only means of solving it. If the Land Commission decide not to take over this farm they still have other means of relieving congestion.

Can we get any clarification of the position in which the Minister tells the people down the country that, as Minister for Lands, he will divide these farms and then comes back here and says it is the function of the Land Commission?

That does not arise out of the Deputy's question. It is a separate question.

The Minister speaks with two voices.

The Deputy is inclined to measure people by his own standard.

I do not know what the Minister means.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission will consider the propriety of acquiring the remaining portion of the Hillas estate, Doonecoy, Templeboy, County Sligo, in order to relieve the acute congestion in the neighbourhood.

The Land Commission recently obtained possession of an area of 75 acres on this estate. The question of acquiring the balance of the estate was considered but the Land Commission decided not to take any further action in the matter for the present.

Can the Minister give any reason for not acquiring that balance?

The Land Commissioners did not give any reasons.

Is the Minister not aware there is acute congestion in the area?

Yes.

How many deputations has the Minister received from that area?

Quite a few.

asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Morrison holding at Tubbercurry, County Sligo, and, if so, with what result.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this estate, but they have called for a detailed report on it.