asked the Minister for Lands if proceedings have been instituted by the Land Commission, for the acquisition of the French Estate at Croghan, County Roscommon, and, if not, why.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for acquisition of this estate. Enquiries made in the matter indicated that the property, which includes a substantial residence, a large area of woodland and a 173 acre lake, was sold privately earlier this year.

Is the Minister not aware that there are a number of small holders in the vicinity of this farm who need an extension to their holdings? Will the Minister state where land will now be made available to bring these small holdings up to an economic standard?

These lands were sold privately before being brought to the attention of the Land Commission. There is nothing the Land Commission can do, unless it is decided to change the law in a matter of this kind.

Is it not a fact that this farm was brought to the attention of the Land Commission a considerable time ago?

According to the information available to me, it was not brought to the notice of the Land Commission until May of this year when a private sale had, in fact, taken place.