asked the Minister for Lands whether the commonage at Shanaknock, Greenane, Goff estate, Killarney, was offered to the Forestry Division of his Department and if he is now in a position to make final arrangements in connection with the purchase of these lands.

My Department has agreed to purchase a commonage of 145 acres in the townland of Greenane, Shanaknock mountain, which is held jointly by six people, and is endeavouring to secure clear title thereto. The title of four of the joint owners is clear but considerable difficulty is being experienced in trying to get the other two people concerned to show title so that the transaction might be closed.

When will the Minister be able to come to a decision in this matter?

I have told the Deputy that title is clear in four cases but there seems to be some difficulty in the remaining two. The clearing of title is a matter for those who are selling.

Is the Minister aware that, under recent legislation, he can now proceed with that portion of the land where title is clear? Could he not proceed with that portion of the scheme?

In view of the fact that four of the people had clear title and two had title difficulties, though these difficulties are not insurmountable ones, it is not proposed to employ the services of the new Act in the case of those two. There will be some delay, but title will be cleared and should be cleared within a few months.