asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the total acreage of land in the hands of the Land Commission in County Roscommon; the date on which the longest held of these lands was acquired; and if and when it is proposed to divide them for the relief of congestion in Roscommon.

The total area on hands in County Roscommon is 11,700 acres which includes some 7,600 acres of inferior quality land and turbary. The unallotted area of arable land is 4,100 acres, all but 75 acres of which are in the possession of the Land Commission for less than five years.

Arrangements have now been made to ensure the formulation forthwith of schemes for the early allotment of arable lands on hands in County Roscommon.

It will be appreciated that the disposal by the Land Commission of inferior quality land, frequently comprising estate remnants, presents considerable difficulty, but I have directed that every effort should be made to dispose, wherever practicable, of such land with the minimum delay.

I note that the question specifically asks the Minister to state the date on which the longest held of these lands was acquired. Would the Minister give that information?

If the Deputy will ask the question, I shall give the information.

It is in the question printed on the Order Paper.

I have not got the exact figure, but I think the oldest land, the land longest acquired, was acquired some time in 1945.

Is it not a fact that the Land Commission have land on hand in Roscommon for the past 25 years and are ashamed to admit it here?