asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the McWalter Estate, Dunmore, County Galway, for distribution amongst the uneconomic holders in that area.

The Land Commission have decided to proceed for acquisition of this estate but the proceedings are still at an early stage.

Could the Minister say when it is hoped to take possession of this estate?

I have informed the Deputy that proceedings for the acquisition of this estate are pending but are at an early stage. When proceedings are pending in a case like this, I think it would be very wrong of me to say anything further on the matter.

Do I take it from the Minister's reply that a scheme has not been prepared for the distribution of the land?

As the Deputy knows, a scheme cannot be prepared until the Land Commission acquires the land and, as I say, proceedings are pending in regard to the acquisition of this land.

The reason I asked the question was because Deputy Kitt and Deputy Killilea had divided the land last week.

Not for the first time.